Charles Joseph Carney

On January 21, 2026, at approximately 6:00 A.M., Columbia Heights Police were dispatched to a stolen vehicle call at the 3900 block of Hayes Street NE in Columbia Heights. Police contacted the reporting party A. A. Who stated she had started her car around 5:12 A.M. But did not leave the keys in it. When A. A. Left the house at 5:45 A.M. Her car was gone. The vehicle is a silver Mitsubishi Outlander (MN KRE434). An investigator contacted Mitsubishi but was unable to get tracking information. A. A. Contacted the investigator and reported that her U. S. Bank debit card had multiple attempted transactions.

The investigator contacted Mitsubishi again who stated the last address captured for the vehicle was Cub Foods in St. Louis Park. The investigator responded to the location and observed the vehicle unoccupied in the parking lot. The investigator had DNA swabs taken of the vehicle. The investigator reviewed Cub Foods surveillance footage and observed a male suspect exiting the driver's seat and walking into Cub Foods at 7:42 A.M. The male suspect then selects multiple items and leaves the store without paying for any of the merchandise.

The male then exits the store and walks towards a bus stop at 36th Street West. The investigator requested video surveillance from Metro Transit for the stop. On February 11, 2026, the investigator reviewed the surveillance footage from Metro Transit. In the video the male suspect is observed being picked up at the 36th Street W and Virginia Avenue/Wyoming Avenue bus stop. The male suspect was later identified as CHARLES JOSEPH CARNEY [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein, through photographs captured from Cub Foods and Metro Transit surveillance, bodycam from St. Louis Park Police, and an MRAP photograph.

On February 11, 2026, at approximately 11:00 A.M., the investigator conducted an interview with Defendant. Defendant admitted he had gotten the vehicle from four individuals wearing ski masks in the early morning hours. Defendant admitted the vehicle had no keys and he did not own the vehicle. Defendant stated he was cold and suffering from weather-related issues with his feet. Defendant admitted to taking the vehicle, driving around town, and thought about selling the vehicle. Defendant also admitted the individual at Cubs Foods was him.

At present, Defendant is not in custody.