In March 2025, LESLIE ALEXANDER COX-SIMMONS, [DOB REDACTED], was identified as a suspect in several thefts at stores in Ramsey County, Minnesota, including the following cases. Walmart, [ADDRESS REDACTED] E E, Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, date of offense March 3, 2025, case number 25012037 On March 3, 2025, a male (later identified by investigators as COX-SIMMONS) entered Vadnais Heights Walmart at approximately 4:52 P.M. And purchased six Nintendo Switch games, total value $345.93. COX- SIMMONS returned to Walmart at 7:09 P.M., COX-SIMMONS returned to the Walmart and returned the six Switch games, and received a cash refund.
Staff later learned that the games had been removed from the package and replaced with “googly eyes.” The “googly eyes” make a similar sound to the Nintendo Switch games. Staff located video of the suspect vehicle used with Virginia license plates 85632Y. This vehicle registers to COX-SIMMONS. Investigator Hughes compared a Washington County booking photo to the suspect image in this case, and identified suspect as COX-SIMMONS. Target, [ADDRESS REDACTED] E, Vadnais Heights, date of offense March 4, 2025, 5:06 P.M., case number 25010897 On March 3, 2025, at approximately 5:06 P.M., a male purchased several Nintendo games at the Vadnais Heights Target.
The male returned to the store at 7:18 P.M. ON March 4, 2025, returned the games, and received a cash refund. Later, when staff opened the boxes for the games, they were empty. Staff provided video and still shots of the suspect. Investigator Hughes identified the suspect as COX-SIMMONS. The total loss for Target is $368.41. Target, [ADDRESS REDACTED] B, Roseville, March 4, 2025 at 11:25 A.M., case number 25500265 On March 4, 2025, at 11:25 A.M., a male purchased three Nintendo Switch games, value $164.97. The same male returned to the store, returned all three games, and received a cash refund of $164.97. Staff later found that the games were removed from the packaging and replaced with “googly eye” sticker.
The sticker mimics the distinct sound a Nintendo Switch game makes when in the case. Staff provided still shots of the suspect from security video. Investigator Hughes identified the suspect as COX-SIMMONS. Walmart, [ADDRESS REDACTED], Roseville, date of offense March 4, 2025, case number 25009955 On March 4, 2025, a male purchased three Nintendo Switch games for $183.80. The same male returned to the Roseville Walmart at 11:12 A.M. On March 4, 2025, returned the games, and received a cash refund of $183.80. Video was provided by Walmart that shows an overhead of the suspect making the return.
The suspect is wearing the same clothing that COX-SIMMONS wore at the Roseville Target, case number 25500265. The total loss to businesses from the thefts detailed in this complaint is $1063.05. COX-SIMMONS was a suspect and charged with similar thefts for acts in Woodbury. During that 2 62-CR-26-2760 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 4/22/2026 investigation, a KOPS alert was issued for Virginia license plate [PLATE REDACTED] (registers to COX-SIMMONS). St. Louis Park Police located the vehicle and COX-SIMMONS at a hotel in the area.
