Armed Man in Stolen Vehicle Arrested Outside of Rochester Shop

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- An Iowa man is in custody following an arrest outside of a clothing shop in southeast Rochester.

Get our free mobile app

Rochester Police Captain Casey Moilanen says officers were dispatched to the report of a man acting strange shortly after 5:45 p.m. Friday. The staff member who called law enforcement provided a description of the vehicle and its license plate number.

The call came from the Children’s Exchange Center in the 1200 block of Marion Rd. Southeast. Officers spotted the vehicle upon arrival and learned it was reported stolen out of Iowa, Moilanen said Tuesday.

Google

Police arrested the driver, who is identified as 30-year-old Joseph Miltier of Knoxville, IA. Moilanen said officers found a handgun under the passenger seat of the vehicle also located a baggie containing 2.5 grams of a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Miltier. Olmsted County ADC

Officers at the scene suspected Miltier of being under the influence and had him transported by ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital, Moilanen said. He later admitted to using meth and cocaine prior to the interaction with police.

Miltier was cleared by St. Mary’s staff then taken to the Olmsted County Jail where he was booked on suspicion of felony receiving stolen property, felony drug possession and possession of a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance.

BlakeDavidTaylor Thinkstock

Moilanen said the owner of the stolen vehicle reported not having a firearm in it and said they do not know Miltier.

Miltier told officers he was heading north for a better life, the report says. He is awaiting arraignment in Olmsted County Court.