On 1/22/2026 at about 1153 hours, St. Paul Police were dispatched to a motor vehicle theft that had just occurred at [ADDRESS REDACTED] S in St. Paul, Ramsey County. The vehicle’s owner, DR, said he parked his 2010 Hyundai Accent (MN/HHU717) outside Samson Upholstery, left it running, and went into the business. When he exited about 5 minutes later, the vehicle was gone. The next morning, on 01/23/2026 at about 0845 hrs, Mounds View Police Officers and Ramsey County Sheriff's Deputies spotted the stolen Hyundai in the Walgreens parking lot at [ADDRESS REDACTED]. In Ramsey County.
Two suspects were seen walking away from it. Surveillance was maintained on the vehicle until both of the suspects exited Walgreens and returned to the vehicle. Both were taken into custody. The male driver was identified as Marqueal Terry Lee ADAMS [DOB REDACTED] and the female passenger was identified as Autumn SAARELA [DOB REDACTED]. CCTV footage from Walgreens showed that both suspects stole merchandise while in the store. The stolen merchandise was recovered from the vehicle. During a post-Miranda interview, ADAMS said he picked up the stolen vehicle on 01/22/26, at about 1200 hrs near “Blair and Snelling” which is where Sampson Upholstery is located.
ADAMS said he "got into it" with "Auntie T's" husband and that's when “Auntie T” gave him the keys. ADAMS said did not know "Auntie T's" real name, her phone number, or her address and only communicated with her in person. ADAMS later said he called “Auntie T” but said he did not have her phone number. ADAMS said “Auntie T” had allowed him to use the vehicle three times before over the past two years. ADAMS said that in the morning on 1/23/26 he picked up SAARELA, whom he does not know, because she was crying at a bus stop and he was trying to help her out.
He then drove to Walgreens where he forgot he was holding merchandise and went to the vehicle to get his wallet. CCTV footage from Samson Upholstery showed a lone black male suspect approach the vehicle and look inside it immediately before it was stolen. The suspect was heavier set, about 5'8" - 5'9", wearing a big black jacket and black pants. The suspect matched ADAMS' build and his clothing when he was arrested. Deputies spoke to the vehicle’s owner, DR, who said he had owned the vehicle for about two years and did not know ADAMS or SAARELA. ADAMS has at least 5 prior felony convictions.
For purposes of Rule 6.
