On or about December 17, 2025, at approximately 10:00 A.M., Deputy Staffan of the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office was working at the security screening station in the Olmsted County Government Center, in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota, when he was approached by an adult female (fully identified in relevant police reports (hereinafter “Victim”). Victim [NAME REDACTED] was going into courtroom 5B, she placed her cell phone on a window ledge right outside the courtroom. When she left the courtroom, the phone was gone.
The phone was an iPhone 16 pro valued at $999.99. The phone also had a case on it valued at a minimum of $15.00. Dep. Staffan went back and reviewed security camera footage from the time the phone went missing. Dep. Staffan observed on the footage a young white adult male, later identified as Corey Jay Gilbertson, [DOB REDACTED] (hereinafter “Defendant”) exit courtroom 5B and stand near the phone. Defendant then began to walk down the hallway. Defendant then turned around and walked back toward the courtroom.
He is then seen grabbing the phone from the window ledge. Security camera footage from the elevator Defendant got on shows him holding a phone matching the description given by Victim. Footage shows that Defendant was already in the setting of the phone conducting a factory reset. Victim was not ultimately able to track the phone. Dep. Staffan made contact with Defendant via phone to ask him about the theft. Defendant stated that he did not recall taking the phone. Defendant stated that he was tired and thought he left his court papers on the window ledge.
Defendant admitted to going back to the window ledge to make sure he had his “papers and to grab my orange juice bottle.” Defendant further stated that if he found the phone he would return it to the government center. Dep. Staffan re-reviewed the security camera footage and noticed Defendant already had his court papers in his hand when he turned to go back toward the window ledge. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: YOU MUST APPEAR FOR EVERY COURT HEARING REGARDING THIS CASE. FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR COURT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING IMPOSED AND PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 609.
