On February 22, 2026, at about 10:11 A.M., Rochester Police Department officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle at a gas station located in southeast Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. Upon arrival, Officer Tomic spoke with the owner of the vehicle (an adult male identified in the police reports and herein referred to as the Victim) who reported that he left his vehicle described as 2010 dark blue Honda Civic with temporary license plate number running with the keys inside while he went inside the gas station to purchase coffee and water.
Victim stated when he returned his vehicle was gone. Victim [NAME REDACTED] did not see anyone take the vehicle but he saw two males near the side of the building prior to the theft. Officer Johnson located the vehicle in the parking lot of an apartment building. Officer Johnson reviewed surveillance footage from the apartment and saw two males exiting the vehicle and walking towards the apartment building. One of the males and the driver of the vehicle was later identified as Dustin Bennett Sandlin [DOB REDACTED]. Officers also reviewed surveillance footage from the gas station showing Sandlin entering the driver’s seat and the other male entering the passenger side.
Officers located Sandlin and the male passenger inside the apartment building. They were placed under arrest. During search incident to arrest, a key belonging to the stolen vehicle was located in Sandlin’s coat. Sandlin made spontaneous utterance stating that he “only took the vehicle to stay warm” because he is homeless. Sandlin was taken to the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center. At the ADC, Sandlin was advised his Miranda rights. Sandlin stated he understood his rights and agreed to speak with the officer.
Sandlin stated he observed a black vehicle parked near the entrance with the keys left in the ignition. He stated he entered the driver’s seat of the vehicle and drove it to his “warm spot.” PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: YOU MUST APPEAR FOR EVERY COURT HEARING REGARDING THIS CASE. FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR COURT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING IMPOSED AND PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 609.49. Your complainant is a licensed peace officer employed by the Rochester Police Department.
In that capacity your Complainant has reviewed the police reports relating to Dustin Bennett Sandlin, the above- named defendant, and the allegations contained therein. Based upon that information, your complainant believes the following to be true and correct. On February 22, 2026, at about 10:11 A.M., Rochester Police Department officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle at a gas station located in southeast Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. Upon arrival, Officer Tomic spoke with the owner of the vehicle (an adult male identified in the police reports and herein referred to as the Victim) who reported that he left his vehicle described as 2010 dark blue Honda Civic with temporary license plate number running with the keys inside while he went inside the gas station to purchase coffee and water.
