On 01/23/2026 at 0914 hours, St. Paul Police responded to a report of a motor vehicle theft that had just occurred at [ADDRESS REDACTED] in St. Paul, Ramsey County. The vehicle was a 2024 Buick Envoy (NY/ LNZ5534) rental car. The complainant, AMV, was in town for a funeral, arrived at that address, and left the vehicle running outside. When AMV came out of the address, the vehicle was gone. The value of the vehicle exceeded $5,000. AMV had left an iPad in the vehicle, which she was able to track via GPS. Updates on the vehicle’s location were provided to dispatch and the vehicle was quickly located by Washington County Deputies at the Veteran's Campground at Big Marine Lake (11300 180th St N) in Marine on St Croix.
Deputies took the driver into custody and identified him as Daniel Joseph HILLMER ([DOB REDACTED]). HILLMER admitted that it was cold outside, he didn’t have anything to do, saw the vehicle running, so he stole it. St. Paul Police transported HILLMER to the LEC. En route, HILLMER spontaneously said "this is the first time I ever stole a car in Ramsey County, drove to Washington County, then drove back to Ramsey County." HILLMER declined a formal interview. For purposes of Rule 6.
