Ex employee Avoids Prison for $100K Theft Scheme from Rochester Business

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A former employee of a Rochester business who was convicted for his role in a six-figure theft scheme has avoided prison. 

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30-year-old Ajuda Mastar Nywesh and Tavontae Timmy Kidd-Starks were charged in December of 2024 in connection with a theft scheme that caused the southwest Rochester business $100,000. Court documents do not name the victimized business.

Rochester police began investigating the case in January of 2023 after a store manager reported the two Rochester men were assisting with thefts. 

Charges Detail Theft Scheme That Cost Rochester Business $100K

Nywesh and Kidd Starks were accused of opening new lines for the same group of individuals who had phone numbers and pass codes for existing accounts, according to court documents. 

Members of the group of people coming into the store would pay the sales tax on the transaction, then leave the store with new devices without paying for them, the charges say. 

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One manager estimated Kidd-Starks and Nywesh gave out over 100 phones, tablets and watches. In exchange for opening lines, the defendants would get increased commission payments on the fake sales, according to the court documents. 

Kidd-Starks is accused of costing the store $36,849.55 in losses during the scheme. Nywesh is alleged to have given out $64,199.38 in free merchandise and services, the complaints say. 

Read More: Employee Theft Leads to $100K Loss for Rochester Store 

Court documents do not say how many individuals were receiving the free devices or how they obtained the account information of existing customers. 

Both men were charged with a count each of felony theft by swindle and felony theft deprive of corporate property. 

Nywesh admitted to an amended felony theft charge in exchange for the dismissal of the other charge in a plea deal he agreed to in May. The agreement also called for Nywesh to pay $64,199.38 in restitution.  

Sentences for $100K Theft Scheme

He was sentenced in Olmsted County Court Monday to five years probation and 50 hours of community service. 

Kidd-Starks entered a plea agreement last year and admitted to a felony theft charge involving the diversion of corporate property. 

Read More: $37K Restitution Tied to Rochester Cellphone Store Theft Scam 

He was sentenced in December to five years probation and ordered to pay $36,849 in restitution.