M., a Winona Police Officer (Officer) was dispatched regarding a theft from a motor vehicle located at a residence in the City and County of Winona, Minnesota. Dispatched advised Officer the reporting party (Witness) wanted a call back. Officer contacted Witness via phone. Witness reported her son (Victim) had left the car he was driving unlocked and someone had stolen his brown trifold wallet and clothing out of it. Witness reported the wallet contained Victim’s bank card, a Venmo account card, identification, and $30.00 in cash.
Witness told Officer there were transactions made on the bank card. Witness texted Officer multiple screenshots of Victim’s bank account and a screenshot of two fraud alerts received by Victim. Officer then spoke with Victim and reviewed the transactions that were not his. Victim stated the suspect made multiple transactions from local businesses. Victim [NAME REDACTED] had attempted a transaction in the amount of $624.67 but it was declined due to insufficient funds. The total amount of the transactions was $896.96. All transactions were made on December 31, 2025. Witness told Officer that a boy’s dark blue snowpants, a girl’s light green snowpants, and pink snow boots were some of the items she could remembered being in the car.
Witness valued the theft of the clothing and snow gear at $150.00. Officer went to the business where some of the transactions were made and spoke to the store supervisor (Employee). Employee allowed Officer to review the video footage. The footage showed a female suspect use Victim’s WNB card and her Kwik Trip loyalty card for all fraudulent transactions. Officer recognized the female, Heather Lynn Meinke, [DOB REDACTED] (Defendant), from prior professional contacts. Officer went to a second business and spoke to a worker (Owner). Owner showed Officer video footage of the transaction made at his business.
Officer observed Defendant using the stolen card in that video as well. Officer then reached out to Witness and Victim and asked if they knew Defendant or her husband. They both stated no. Victim [NAME REDACTED] had permission to be in the vehicle or to use his bank cards. At approximately 4:21 P.M., Officer located Defendant at the intersection of 7th Street and Laird Street. Officer stopped and informed Defendant he was investigating a theft 2 85-CR-26-6 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 1/2/2026 from a car that led to several fraudulent transactions.
Defendant told Officer she was told about this happening by several people she was hanging out with on Mankato Avenue. Defendant denied having anything to do with the theft or the fraudulent transactions. Officer advised Defendant to be honest with him and asked her again if she used the stolen cards. Defendant admitted to using the card twice at a convenience store on Mankato Avenue and a laundry mat. Defendant stated she was going through hard financial times and only used the card to help with her situation.
