On January 6, 2026, at 8:10 A.M., Officer Pierre with the Cottage Grove Police Department was dispatched to a residence located at [ADDRESS REDACTED] South in the city of Cottage Grove, Washington County, regarding a theft from a motor vehicle. Upon arrival Officer Pierre met with J. L. And her husband A. L. They explained that overnight two unknown individuals broke into A. L.'s work truck by smashing the front passenger side window. A. L. Stated that the suspects stole a backpack from the truck, which contained miscellaneous personal and work-related items valued at approximately $100. J. L. And A. L. Reviewed their home surveillance video and described the first suspect as wearing a gray sweatshirt with a black jacket and gray pants.
The second suspect was described as wearing a gray sweatshirt and dark pants. The suspects arrived in the area around 11:28 P.M. In a red or maroon Honda CR-V that appeared to be a 2002 – 2006 model. The cost to repair the damaged truck window is approximately $1100. Officer Pierre conducted an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) search with the suspect vehicle's description and learned that a red Honda CR-V bearing Minnesota license plate [PLATE REDACTED] was in the area of Jamaica Avenue South and Highway 61 at approximately 11:33 P.M. The previous night.
Detective Mulvihill was assigned the case and determined that the registered owner of the Honda CR-V is T. H., who has criminal history involving theft. Through investigative tools, Detective Mulvihill learned that the vehicle is associated with an address in St. Paul, and that T. H. Was associated in a recent theft case with a male identified as EKOI LEE, [DOB REDACTED]. Detective Mulvihill reviewed a DVS photo for LEE and determined that he matched one of the suspects seen in the home surveillance video.
LEE also had outstanding felony warrants from Ramsey County. On January 8, 2026, Detective Mulvihill conducted an ALPR search for the suspect vehicle and determined it had been near the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and West Point Douglas Road at 2:41 P.M. That day. Officers searched that area and located the vehicle with the engine running in the parking lot of a business located at 7699 95th Street. Officers approached the vehicle and found a male matching LEE'S description hiding in the backseat.
Detective Mulvihill arrived on scene and spoke to the male, who confirmed he was LEE. LEE was arrested and transported to the Cottage Grove Police Department, where he provided a statement to Detective Mulvihill. LEE stated that he has been addicted to methamphetamine for the last ten years. On the evening of January 5, he smoked methamphetamine and then drove around the city of Cottage Grove in T. H.'s vehicle. LEE found the vehicle belonging to A. L., smashed the window, and stole the backpack.
