On May 6, 2025, law enforcement received a report from a loss prevention worker at Target located at [ADDRESS REDACTED], Edina, Hennepin County, Minnesota, that a known shoplifter selected items from the store and left without attempting to pay for the items, which were valued at $287.79. The reporting party indicated that the person, later identified as RENEE JEAN HOWARD, DEFENDANT herein, was driving a white Chevy SUV with the license plate [PLATE REDACTED], which law enforcement verified was registered to the DEFENDANT. The DEFENDANT had an active misdemeanor warrant.
Officers located and stopped the vehicle on Xerxes Ave and Hwy 62, Edina, Hennepin County, Minnesota, which was being driven by the DEFENDANT. The officers observed a large amount of Target merchandise in the back of the vehicle. Video surveillance from Target depicts the DEFENDANT selecting items and leaving the store without attempting to pay for the items. Officers compared the booking photo and positively identified the DEFENDANT in the surveillance footage based on physical features, hair line, hair color, and facial characteristics.
The DEFENDANT was observed taking items on: - December 22, 2024, resulting in a loss of $256. - December 24, 2024, resulting in a loss of $106.06. - January 27, 2025, resulting in a loss of $263.76. - February 18, 2025, resulting in a loss of $160.87. - February 26, 2025, resulting in a loss of $264.34. The total loss was valued at $1,338.82.
