On December 12, 2024, Wright County Sheriff’s Deputy Norgren received a report of a stolen vehicle at [ADDRESS REDACTED] 12 SW in Cokato, Wright County, Minnesota. Upon arrival, he spoke with K. L. R., who said R&H Painting LLC Hiperline’s company vehicle (a white 2012 Ford F250 bearing Minnesota license plate [PLATE REDACTED], hereinafter “the vehicle”) was stolen. The vehicle contained miscellaneous tools. She said “Hiperline” is written on both the driver’s side and passenger side doors of the vehicle.
She said the vehicle was last seen was within the last 24 hours. She estimated the value of the vehicle to be $20,000. Law enforcement recovered the vehicle near the intersection of 748th Ave. And 185th St. In Meeker County, Minnesota on December 14, 2024. Deputy Broekema noticed that a company logo on the vehicle appeared as though someone tried to remove it with a razor blade. White paint was spray-painted over the logo in an attempt to mask it. A razor blade was located on the driver’s seat, and a can of white spray paint was located on the passenger side floorboard.
Deputy Broekema swabbed the razor blade, the key in the ignition, and the vehicle’s steering wheel, column shifter, blinker and interior door handle. The swabs were sent to the laboratory for analysis. A lab report dated September 25, 2025 indicated the following: The swab from the steering wheel, shifter, blinker and interior door handle of the vehicle was interpreted as a mixture originating from four individuals. A major male profile matches Joseph Edward Frieler, Jr. [DOB REDACTED] (hereinafter “the defendant”). The swab from the key was interpreted as a mixture originating from three individuals.
A major male profile matches the defendant. The swab from the razor blade was interpreted as a mixture originating from four individuals. The defendant is a possible contributor to this mixture. The mixture is greater than one billion times more likely if it originated from the defendant and three unknown unrelated individuals than if it originated from four unknown unrelated individuals. On October 03, 2025, Deputy Lundeen spoke with B. W. R., the registered owner of the stolen vehicle. B. W. R. Said he does not know anyone by the defendant’s name, he has no employees by that name, and there would be no reason for the defendant to believe he could take the vehicle.
