On 01/16/2026 at about 2239 hours, Minneapolis Police were dispatched to 10xx 23 Av SE on a report of a motor vehicle theft. The vehicle’s owner, DP, reported that sometime after 1530 hours someone stole his 2011 Hyundai Sonata (MN/PLB695) that had been parked at that address. According to Carfax.com, the average value of a 2011 Hyundai Sonata is $6,075. On 1/18/26 at about 0904 hours, a Ramsey County Deputy spotted the stolen Hyundai driving east on Larpenteur Ave near Jackson Ave in St. Paul, Ramsey County.
The Deputy followed the Hyundai as it traveled to Hwy 61 and Hwy 36. When it got to Beam Ave, Deputies activated their emergency lights, blocked the vehicle in, and took the driver into custody. The driver was identified as Montrell Peter LINNEAR ([DOB REDACTED]) and the passenger was identified as (juvenile) “AT.” Deputies saw that the Hyundai’s entire steering column had been ripped apart and that the vehicle was being operated without a key. Auto thieves commonly damage a vehicle’s steering column to bypass the locking ignition so it can be “hot wired” and driven without a key.
During a post-Miranda interview, “AT” said she knew the vehicle was stolen and that they stole it in Minneapolis. While in custody at the LEC, on 01/19/2026 at 1215 hours, LINNEAR placed a phone call to a female. During the call, LINNEAR said he had been "good" for three days but then drove the “hot” vehicle to Maplewood. LINNEAR said it was only a "car charge," that he was going play that role again and tell them that his mental health is bad, and “b**** I do not care." For purposes of Rule 6.
