30 P.M., Willmar Police Officers were dispatched to the Target Store in the City of Willmar, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota on the report of shoplifting. It was reported the suspect had left on foot and had drawn a knife. Officer Edward Rodriguez observed a male matching the suspect’s description in the PetSmart parking lot. He was later identified as PETER VILLARREAL ALFRED-ITURBE, [DOB REDACTED]. While speaking with him, he began to walk away. Officer Rodriguez instructed him to remain where he was.
Shortly after, Officer Ben Hanneman arrived on scene. Officer Rodriguez told ALFRED-ITURBE not to reach into his pockets because he could see a pocketknife in his right pocket. Officers retrieved a black pocketknife from ALFRED-ITURBE’S pocket. The knife is approximately 4” in length when closed and 7” in length when open. After a pat search for additional weapons, Officers began to speak with ALFRED-ITURBE. ALFRED-ITURBE initially denied shoplifting. He did produce some items of clothing from inside his own clothing.
There were two bras each valued at $23.99 and three hair care products with a total value of $22.98. The total value of the items was $70.96. ALFRED- ITURBE admitted to taking the items from Target. ALFRED-ITURBE plead with officers to just let him leave. ALFRED-ITURBE was informed he would be taken back to Target to allow officers to speak with employees. ALFRED-ITURBE began speaking a sentence but then stopped midsentence, turned to his left and tried to flee between the front of Officer Rodriguez’s squad car.
He ran about two steps before Officer Hanneman stopped him. ALFRED- ITURBE was pleading with officers, stating that he was trying to turn his life around and that he needed the items. ALFRED-ITURBE was placed under arrest and transported to the Kandiyohi County Jail. Officer Hanneman went to Target and spoke with Asset Protection worker, C. D. J. He reported that ALFRED-ITURBE entered the store. C. D. J. Began surveilling him based on past incidents. C. D. J. Observed ALFRED-ITURBE concealing items while in the store.
C. D. J. Called law enforcement to report the shoplifting. ALFRED-ITURBE began exiting the store without making any attempt to pay for the concealed items. C. D. J. Ran to the exit as ALFRED-ITURBE was exiting. C. D. J. Stepped between ALFRED-ITURBE and the parking lot on his way out of the store. C. D. J. Introduced himself as Target Security. ALFRED-ITURBE took out a pocketknife from his front pocket and held it near his waist. He did not unfold the blade of the knife. C. D. J. Immediately recognized it as a knife and became scared.
ALFRED-ITURBE told C. D. J. To back up and fled the scene. On January 27, 2026, at approximately 11:08 A.M., Officer Ben Hanneman read ALFRED-ITURBE his Miranda rights. ALFRED-ITURBE agreed to speak with officers. ALFRED-ITURBE admitted he had a knife on him but denied taking it out of his pocket. When asked how C. D. J. Could describe the knife, ALFRED-ITURBE could not provide a response. ALFRED-ITURBE stated he was high at the time but would not state what he was high on. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn.
