Mpls. Police Find Stolen Cars Used In Twin Cities Crime Spree
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minneapolis Police have recovered two stolen vehicles used in a crime spree across the Twin Cities. Now they're looking for those who are responsible.
The van and car were stolen from the Summit Neighborhood in St. Paul sometime late Friday night.
The thieves used the vehicles to store other stuff they had taken.
Diane McDanel is writing a story of how two of her vehicles were taken from her home. She says she woke up late Saturday to discover them gone.
Minneapolis Police were called into action when the stolen vehicles were used in a series of thefts on the west side of the Mississippi River.
"The vehicles were taken, then brought out, used in a series of property-related crimes, theft from automobiles, things like that," said John Elder, Minneapolis Police's public information officer.
Police believe the thieves broke into garages and cars for several days. Investigators found the vehicles abandoned. It's believed the thieves had plans to come back and get them.
"One was found Monday and one was recovered today both in St. Paul, loaded with stolen property, all taken from other vehicles," Elder said.
McDanel eventually got her vehicles back, but what she found inside was shocking.
"They had been partying all over the cities on Friday night," McDanel said.
Some of the stolen items were taken from a WCCO news vehicle. McDanel put it all on display -- a collage, of sort, to show the eclectic taste of those responsible.
"All that camera equipment from WCCO, the tripod, the bags and things, the CBS caps," she said. "They took my Uggs and left me a black and a brown boot, both left foot."
Police believe they are looking for more than one person. McDanel says she needs officers to make an arrest so she will have an ending to her story.
Police say the thieves found the keys to the vehicles hidden underneath the bumper, inside of a magnetic holding case.
Investigators say they were drawn to the vehicles because valuables were left in open view.
There is no one in custody. Police are still processing one of the vehicles and some of the items in it to see if it will lead them to those responsible.
