Rochester Theft Case Draws Advisory From Police
Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - Officers made a quick arrest Wednesday night in a case Rochester police hope will send a message to the public.
A 20-year-old woman called 911 around 11:45 PM to report she had just been robbed.
The woman says she made arrangements to buy a phone for $200 from a stranger. She says he agreed to meet outside her apartment to make the transaction. The woman says the seller handed her a box and as she was opening it, he grabbed the money from her hand, ran to a nearby car and drove off.
The woman called 911 and a patrol officer spotted the car a few blocks away. There were four people in the car and the woman identified one of them as the suspect. The 17-year-old is facing a possible theft charge.
The woman was expected to get her money back Thursday. Her 2 one-hundred dollar bills were found under a floor mat in the suspect’s car.
Police Lt. Mike Sadauskis says those who take part in transactions involving strangers should conduct them in a public place if possible. He says many are conducted in the Law Enforcement Center parking lot.