2 males charged in theft in St. Paul that led to stolen Kia automotive chase

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Two 20-year-old males have been charged after police say they have been concerned in a theft at a St. Paul development website earlier than main police on a chase in a stolen Kia.

Tony Kelly Jr. and Marcellus Johnson are each charged with theft within the case after the assault on Tuesday, August 23. Police responded shortly earlier than midday on that day for the report of a person who had been attacked by a bunch that had stolen gadgets from his truck.

On the scene, the 61-year-old sufferer, who was a part of a crew engaged on a constructing on Marshall Avenue close to Fairview, instructed police he had noticed a bunch stealing gadgets out of his truck. The sufferer mentioned he confronted the group and pulled one of many thieves out of the truck. The sufferer says two folks from a close-by Kia Soul bought out at began attacking him.

The thieves stole the sufferer’s iPhone 12 earlier than driving away within the Kia, which witnesses mentioned had Virginia plates. Police additionally realized the group had stolen numerous different gadgets from different automobiles close by.

Police later noticed the Kia Soul, sparking a police chase that officers say reached speeds of 100 mph on metropolis streets. Officers used the Minnesota State Patrol helicopter to trace the automobile which finally hit a set of cease sticks deployed by police close to Edgerton Avenue and Wheelock Parkway, bringing the chase to an finish.

RELATED: Kias and Hyundais now most stolen automobiles in Minneapolis, knowledge exhibits

Police say the Kia’s ignition had been torn aside and officers used a screwdriver to show off the automobile. Officers later realized that the automobile was a rental that was reported stolen that afternoon.

Kelly was arrested at Arcade Avenue and Sherwood Avenue after working from the automobile. Johnson was discovered at a Vacation fuel station. When he was arrested, police say he nonetheless had the iPhone belonging to the 61-year-old man.

Three others who have been within the automobile, together with the motive force, have been additionally taken into custody. In accordance with the fees, all three males agreed to talk with police. Two admitted to being in gangs, with one telling police the group was focusing on development automobiles as a result of staff usually go away keys and wallets inside unlocked automobiles, the fees element.

In accordance with the fees, Johnson initially denied getting out of the automobile through the theft of the 61-year-old man however later admitted he bought out to get the person off his good friend. Kelly reportedly admitted to coping with the group

It is unclear what prices the opposite folks within the automobile would possibly face.

Thefts of Kias have skyrocketed in latest months, with criminals more and more utilizing the automobiles in crime sprees. We’re instructed there may be an exploit that thieves are utilizing that makes the automobiles simpler to take than others.