John Wayne Balderston

The following is based on your complainant’s review of the reports of other officers and your complainant’s own investigation: On the afternoon of June 10, 2025, the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office received a report of theft that had occurred the day before at Bob’s Cycle Supply, [ADDRESS REDACTED]. W., Little Canada, Ramsey County. An employee told deputies that on June 9, a small e-bike was positioned for sale near the front of the store. The employee said that a male customer entered, repeatedly moved the bike closer to the store’s entrance, and eventually exited with the bike and without making any attempt to pay.

Surveillance video corroborating the account was recovered. It shows the man arriving on the evening of June 10 in a Jeep Renegade, which he later positions directly in front of the entrance for an easy getaway. Eventually he loads into the Renegade both the bike and a sweatshirt from the store and drives away. The e-bike had been offered for sale for $1,049; the sweatshirt was worth about $70. Several days later, St. Paul Police stopped the Renegade in St. Paul (SPPD CN 25-103911). The driver was identified as the defendant, JOHN WAYNE BALDERSTON ([DOB REDACTED]). He was detained.

The defendant was identified as the man seen in the video stealing the bike. In a Mirandized interview with deputies, the defendant admitted to having stolen the bike. He said that it was now in South St. Paul and that he would bring it back (RCSO CN 25-027325). Several days after that, the store employee informed an investigator that the bike had in fact been returned, although it was now significantly damaged. As of two months later, the store had been unable to fix the bike; the employee said that if the bike were repaired, it would simply be a demonstration model and not saleable.

The defendant's criminal record includes at least 11 felony convictions, including for theft, fraud, and burglary. He is currently in custody in Washington County. He faces pending charges for Burglary in the Second Degree (Case No. 62-CR-26-1828) and Threats of Violence (Case No. 82-CR-25-5293).