Rochester, MN Police Issue Warning After Pair of Thefts From Vehicles
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester Police Department is investigating a pair of thefts from vehicles reported over the holiday weekend.
Police Captain Casey Moilanen says the thefts serve as reminders of what can happen when valuables are left in plain view inside of unoccupied vehicles. He said potential thieves patrol parking lots and look for valuable items to take out of vehicles.
The first theft was reported Saturday afternoon shortly before 6:20 p.m. Police responded to the Rochester Athletic Club where a 38-year-old woman reported someone had smashed open the window of the vehicle and stole her purse.
Moilanen said the woman reported her wallet and bank cards were inside of the purse. Officers also learned of a dark Chrysler minivan seen pulling in and out of parking spots shortly before the theft report.
The second theft was reported about an hour after the theft from the Rochester Athletic Club parking lot. Moilanen said officers responded to the Douglas Trail parking lot off of Valleyhigh Dr. Northwest.
A couple from Becker, MN hiking on the trail reported someone had broken out their vehicle window then stole a wallet and phone sometime between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Moilanen said its unclear if the two thefts are related. So far no arrests have been made.
