Rochester Man Accused of Stealing Vehicle Left Running Outside of Store

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- An alleged vehicle theft has led to a felony charge against a Rochester man. 

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He made his first court appearance on Tuesday morning, hours after being booked into the Olmsted County Jail. 

The criminal complaint says the vehicle theft occurred shortly before 9:30 Monday night. 

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Rochester Man Seen on Camera Stealing Vehicle Left Running Outside of Northwest Rochester Store

Rochester police responded to the vehicle theft report at a store in northwest Rochester. The store is not named in the court document. 

The victim told police her vehicle had been stolen while she was inside the store. 

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A review of surveillance camera footage shows the victim exit her vehicle and enter the business at 9:18 p.m. Three minutes later, a man is seen getting into the vehicle, which the complaint says was left running, and driving away. 

Police identified the man as 36-year-old Jordan John Arens based upon prior law enforcement encounters, according to the court document. 

Deputies Find Vehicle and Theft Suspect

Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office deputies later found the vehicle at an undisclosed location in southeast Rochester and took Arens into custody. He admitted to taking the vehicle during an interview at the jail, the complaint says. 

Court records indicate Arens has multiple misdemeanor convictions dating back to 2013. 

Arens is charged with felony motor vehicle theft and was released without bail following his first court appearance. He’s due back in court later this month.