Rochester Stolen Vehicle Cases Send Young Man to Prison

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A car theft that drew a large law enforcement presence to downtown Rochester late last year has sent a young man to prison.

Read More: Charges Filed in Downtown Rochester Stolen Vehicle Arrest

The host of squad cars converged along 3rd Ave. Southeast between the Olmsted County Government Center and the Mayo Civic Center on the morning of Dec. 20 to arrest the vehicle theft suspect.

He was identified as 20-year-old Teven Michael Smidt-Thomas of Rochester. Court records indicate it was the third time last year he was arrested and subsequently charged in a felony theft case.

Smidt-Thomas. Olmsted County ADC

The criminal complaint in the December case accuses him of taking the vehicle from a residence outside of Rochester but in Olmsted County the previous evening. The victim reported their vehicle was missing from their garage on the morning of the arrest.

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Smidt-Thomas was charged the day after his arrest with one count of felony motor vehicle theft and felony receiving stolen property charge.

photo courtesy Kraus-Anderson

In February Smidt-Thomas entered a guilty plea to settle the case opened following the December arrest, a November vehicle theft and financial card theft case and a third felony theft case involving the use of a stolen financial card.

Smidt-Thomas admitted to two felony vehicle theft charges and the stolen financial card count in exchange for the dismissal of the other charges filed in the three cases.

The agreement called for a stayed prison sentence, however that was taken off the table after Smidt-Thomas allegedly violated his release terms after reaching the plea deal.

The young Rochester man was given a 13 month concurrent prison sentence for convictions in the three felony cases on Monday. He was given credit for 88 days already served behind bars.