Your Complainant is an officer with the Owatonna Police Department. Investigation has revealed that on January 24, 2026, around 7:45 PM, City Officers were dispatched to [ADDRESS REDACTED] (Target), Owatonna, MN, County of Steele in reference to an in-progress theft. The reporting part was a loss prevention officer and reported a female suspect, later identified as Jennifer Kay Sowka, [DOB REDACTED] of Mason City, Iowa, who was currently in the grocery aisle and had not walked out the front doors yet.
Sowka was described as an older white woman wearing glasses, a black fur coat, and grey pants. As Officer Steinberg arrived and Sowka was about to walk out the doors per the reporting party. Sowka passed the point of sale without paying for the items. Officer Steinberg spoke with Sowka and attempted to stop her. Officer Steinberg asked Sowka if she paid for the items in her cart and she said yes. Sowka stated she had a receipt and could show it. Officer Steinberg told Sowka to get the receipt out and she was looking for it in a bag.
Sowka then asked Officer Steinberg if she could walk back to her vehicle and get her phone and Officer Steinberg said no. Officer Steinberg grabbed onto the female's arm and told her she was not free to go and was being detained. Both went inside Target without issue. The total amount stolen from Target was $964.37. The items included: multiple handbags, 2 iTOUCH wearable watches, 10 football trading card sets, BOSE speaker, brown boots, and a pillowfort storage bin. Sowka stated she lost her job about a month ago and going through a divorce which has been tough on her.
Sowka was arrested for the theft and transported to the Steele County ADC. While at the Steele County Detention Center and during the custodial search, a correctional officer found a clear Ziplock baggie inside a brown bag that Sowka had with her. Sowka stated is was her bag. Officer Steinberg observed a clear/white crystallized substance inside the baggie. Officer Steinberg later field- tested the substance, and it tested positive for methamphetamine. The baggie and substance weigh a total of 9.6 grams.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 609.49 intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.
