Deputy Casey met with Manager D. B., who reported that someone had entered the auto lot and removed nearly all the components in the engine block of a customer's Mustang Roush. D. B. Indicated some items had been left nearby or under the hood of the Roush, including a hammer. Deputy Casey collected the hammer and other items, later submitting them for DNA analysis. D. B. Estimated the stolen parts were valued at nearly $30,000. Deputy Casey contacted the vehicle owner M. S. Who stated he would provide receipts and serial numbers for the parts.
On March 4, 2025, M. S. Notified Sgt. Gatzke that an eBay ad was posted listing what he believed were the missing Roush parts. Comparing the ad photos to the photos taken by Deputy Casey at the car lot, Sgt. Gatzke observed one ad photo showed a broken pulley support bracket which contained only the last three letters of Roush - “ush”. The corresponding photo taken at the car lot contained only the first two letters of Roush - “Ro” on the corresponding broken part. Shortly after the bidding ended, the ad was taken down.
The ad had been posted under the username “michregen99”. Sgt. Gatzke learned the username registered to M. R., who had a son named “Scott Alan Sandberg”. On March 6, 2025, M. S. Notified Sgt. Gatzke of a Facebook Marketplace ad posting of the Roush supercharge kit posted. The post was by “Scott Sandberg” in Menahga, MN. A sale was arranged, but the defendant backed out. On August 19, 2025, Sgt. Gatzke learned Midwest Regional Forensics Laboratory located male DNA on the hammer. Sgt. Gatzke obtained a search warrant for Sandberg's DNA via buccal swab.
Sgt. Gatzke made contact with Sandberg in custody at MCF-Faribault and obtained a buccal swab without issue. Sandberg denied any involvement in the theft or knowledge of the username “michregen99”. Sandberg then requested an attorney. On September 18, 2025, Sgt. Gatzke received the DNA analysis from the lab which indicated a mixture of three individuals. The analysis indicated the mixture was at least 13 million times more likely if it originated from SCOTT ALAN SANDBERG, [DOB REDACTED], the defendant herein, and two unknown unrelated individuals than if it originated from three unknown unrelated individuals.
On or about September 18, 2025, Sgt. Gatzke spoke with M. R., who agreed she had an eBay account but stated she had not posted anything on it in at least a year. She said her son, the defendant, had listed several items on eBay using her account, but she did not know what they were. Additional investigation confirmed the total value of the parts stolen from the Mustang Rouch was $27,708.00. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49, intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges, and in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.
