Michael E. Erdos, 33, Saint Paul Park, was charged in Dakota County District Court April 18 with felony theft of a motor vehicle. On March 2, the Apple Valley Police Department received a report of a male slumped over in the passenger seat of a navy-blue SUV in front of a business. A license plate of the vehicle was provided, and dispatch confirmed it was stolen. The reporting party also told dispatch that the driver, Erdos, had exited the vehicle and entered a business next door to where the vehicle was parked.

Officers blocked the vehicle in upon arrival and attended to the slumped over passenger. One officer entered the business where Erdos had been seen entering and spoke with an employee. The employee, who was returning from the restroom, stated she was the only person in the business at that time. Officers located a door to the back of the business and announced for anyone in the back to come out. Erdos exited the room and was placed under arrest.

The reporting party noticed the SUV because the passenger was slumped over in the seat and wasn’t moving. According to the complaint, she thought the passenger was dying. The reporting party was able to identify Erdos as the driver of the vehicle.  

The employee at the business that Erdos entered admitted she knew him. Erdos was an ex-boyfriend that she had not spoken with in approximately five months. The employee did notice the vehicle drive up but had not seen who was driving. 

The registered owner of the vehicle had started her car early in the morning on the street by her house. According to the complaint, while the vehicle was running, she was moving her trash can when she saw a person with long, blonde hair walking near her vehicle and shortly after, watched her vehicle driving away. The registered owner did not know Erdos and did not give him permission to use her vehicle. A court summons was issued.