Rochester Police Report Rise in Thefts from Vehicles

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester Police Department is once again reminding community members about thieves taking valuable items out of empty vehicles. 

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Police Captain Casey Moilanen says officers have seen an increase in thefts from vehicles recently. He highlighted two thefts that have been reported this month. 

The first happened on September 2 at Quarry Hill. Moilanen said a 44-year-old Rochester woman reported the window of her vehicle had been smashed out while it was parked in the east parking lot. 

The reported smash-and-grab purse theft is believed to have occurred between 2:40 p.m. and 3:20 p.m. Saturday. The second theft was reported Tuesday morning. 

Moilanen says a 24-year-old Rochester woman reported someone had entered her unlocked vehicle that had the keys inside between 3:00 a.m. and 5:15 a.m. and stole her purse. 

That theft was reported to have occurred in the 700 block of 31st St. Northeast. 

Moilanen says the pattern of thefts is an obvious indicator that people are patrolling parking lots at Rochester’s parks, fitness centers and businesses looking to steal items out of vehicles. 

He said the best way to prevent the thefts is to not leave valuable items in empty vehicles.