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Having your personal space broken into is a huge violation. It’s angering, “this is MY SPACE!” and someone disrespected that space, broke your car window and grabbed everything they could, in broad daylight, even. Gutsy, and honestly, stupid. But that is what happened on January 11th. Four vehicles located in parking lots of Cottage Grove businesses had their windows smashed in and contents stolen. Thankfully, the locations involved had video surveillance camera and the victims were quick to notice the break in and call for Cottage Grove Police assistance.

Officers were able to track down two male suspects later that afternoon by tracking stolen credit cards. First contact with the suspect was during a traffic stop where the suspect fled to a home in St. Paul Park. Shortly after that initial contact, both suspects were arrested at the home. Officers also executed a search warrant where all the stolen property was recovered. By press time, it is expected most, if not all of the stolen property should have been returned.

Summary of the complaint.

According to the complaint obtained from Washington County with the help of Cottage Grove Records, Shawn Alan Westling of St. Paul Park was arrested for Financial Transaction Card Fraud-Use-No Consent and Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle. Both charges are felony level offenses. The fraud charge has a maximum sentence of five years and $10,000, the fleeing charge is three years and $5,000.

The officers reviewed surveillance video from Planet Fitness. The video shows a 2002 Chevrolet Blazer park between the victims’ vehicles. The occupants of the Blazer open and close the vehicle door several times, then exit the premises, all within three minutes. Shawn Alan Westling is the registered owner of the Chevrolet Blazer.

The suspect used victim #1’s credit card at various locations around the area and attempted to purchase $510.26 worth of goods. The officers were able to view surveillance footage from two of the locations in Washington County. At that point, the officers executed a search warrant at the home of Westling when they observed the same blazer used in the theft leaving. Officers executed a traffic stop and Westling was the driver. When the officer attempted to detain Westling and prevent him from accessing a weapon next to him, Westling fled at a high rate of speed back home where he was arrested.

Officers also interviewed Troy Jeffrey Yorek who admitted he was with Westling earlier that day and helped him break into two of the vehicles.

According to City Communications Director Scott Seroka, as of Friday, January 15th, charges had not been filed against Yorek but were expected to be in the near future.

Because of the assistance from both the victims and business owners, and the great work tracking the stolen cards, officers were able to quickly resolve this situation. They are also looking into previous ‘Smash and Grab’ incidents from a couple weeks ago to see if they are connected.

Shawn Alan Westling