3 Arrested in Rochester Vehicle Theft Crime Spree

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochester police say three men have been arrested in connection with an investigation into a crime spree that included the theft of a gun.

Gun and Wallet Reported Stolen From Vehicle

Police Department Communications Coordinator Amanda Grayson says officers were dispatched around noon Wednesday to investigate a report that a handgun and wallet had been stolen from a vehicle in the 5100 block of Sydnie Road Northwest near the Northern Hills Goal for Course. She says it was then learned that the victim's credit card had been used at a nearby business.

Rochester police vehicle — Andy Brownell - TSM Rochester

Credit Card Use Helps Police Locate Suspect

Grayson says the responding officers were able to locate and then stop the suspect's vehicle in the 3900 block of 41st Street Northwest about 15 minutes after responding to the theft report. The driver, identified as 19-year-old Ahmed Hussein, was arrested on suspicion of theft and financial transaction card fraud.

Second Suspect Located in Stolen Vehicle

The police department statement says an investigation into similar reports of thefts from vehicles identified 19-year-old Dakaree Johnson of Rochester as another suspect. Later Wednesday afternoon, Grayson says officers located Johnson in a vehicle near the intersection of West Frontage Road and 55th Street Northwest.

Stolen Vehicle Flees Rochester Traffic Stop

When officers attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle sped away, and the officers did not pursue. Grayson also noted that it was later determined that the vehicle had been stolen.

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Minnesota State Patrol Tracks Vehicle to Minneapolis

Within a matter of minutes, Grayson indicated that the Minnesota State Patrol had received calls concerning the same vehicle being recklessly driven northbound on Highway 52. The vehicle was tracked to Minneapolis, where Grayson says Johnson and another man, 20-year-old Chan Malith, were taken into custody. Grayson says the stolen handgun was found inside the vehicle.

As of Friday afternoon, Johnson and Malith were being held in the Hennepin County Jail.

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Gallery Credit: Jessica Williams