Rochester Man on Probation for Assault Case Accused of Stealing Running Vehicle
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester man is accused of stealing a vehicle while he was on probation for a recent assault at a local park.
See Also: Southeast Minnesota Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Production
Rochester Police responded to the stolen vehicle report shortly after 10:00 Sunday morning.
The victim told officers he had left the vehicle running while he went into a gas station in southeast Rochester to buy coffee and water and said it was gone when he exited the store. The complaint does not name the gas station.
Homeless Man Convicted of Felony Assault Accused of Stealing Running Vehicle from Rochester Gas Station
The victim told officers he saw two men near the side of the building prior to the alleged theft. An officer later found the stolen vehicle parked at an apartment building.
The officer reviewed surveillance camera footage and saw two men exit the vehicle. He identified one of the men as 42-year-old Dustin Bennett Sandlin, the complaint says.
A review of camera footage from the gas station showed Sandlin and the other man getting into the running vehicle. Police arrested both men and found the key to the vehicle in Sandlin’s jacket pocket, the charges state.
The other man's name is not listed in the complaint. During his arrest Sandlin, who is described in the complaint as homeless, told police he “only took the vehicle to stay warm.”
Alleged Vehicle Theft Comes Less Than One Month After Assault Sentencing
Court records indicate the vehicle theft occurred while Sandlin was serving a five-year probation sentence for a third-degree assault conviction stemming from an attack at Soldiers Field Park last July.
He was accused of striking a man in the face with a metal pole in that case. Sandlin’s sentencing in the assault case calls for him to serve a 15-month prison sentence if he fails to complete probation.
Read More: Rochester Man Sentenced for Metal Pole Assault at Local Park
Sandlin is charged with felony motor vehicle theft and misdemeanor tampering with a motor vehicle in the new case.
His conditional bail was set at $5,000 following his first court appearance on Monday. He is due back in court next month.
Hidden Rochester Minnesota Gem: The Nuss Antique Truck Collection
Gallery Credit: Andy Brownell
