Niko Juan Martinez

On June 8, 2026, officers responded to a call for theft of a motor vehicle on the 5300 block of 12th Avenue South, in the City of Minneapolis, County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota. Officers spoke with J. B., who stated that he had parked a Nissan cargo van MN PNP104 on the street the evening of June 7, 2026, and it was missing the morning of June 8, 2026. J. B. Told officers that there were approximately $80,000.00 worth of tools inside the van. Officers used GPS to locate the van in an alley on the 3400 block of Cedar Avenue.

Officers observed several individuals who appeared to be unloading tools out of the van. A male and a female were unloading the vehicle while another male was directing them. Officers approached and observed that the driver’s window was broken and they keys were in the ignition. There was broken glass on the inside of the vehicle. Officers detained all three individuals. Officers spoke with the male who had been directing the other two, and learned that he had planned on purchasing items from the other two individuals, who had approached him and said they were selling tools.

The female provided a false name of A. T. N. [DOB REDACTED], a real person, and was later identified as Tamia Crystal Nixon [DOB REDACTED]. When Nixon was identified, officers learned she had active warrants. The other male told officers that he was M. A. S. [DOB REDACTED], a real person, but was subsequently identified as Niko Juan Martinez [DOB REDACTED]. Officers obtained surveillance footage from another building facing the alley on the 3400 block of Cedar Avenue South and observed that Martinez was driving the stolen van prior to it arriving to the address where Martinez and Nixon were selling the tools inside the van.

Surveillance also showed Nixon arriving at the same in a Nissan Versa displaying a license plate of MN NCD365. Officers located this vehicle in a driveway a few houses down the block. Officers determined that the license plate did not belong to the vehicle. Officers located the correct license plate for the vehicle, MN NRX373, inside the vehicle. Officers also located burnt foil, clothes, and other personal belongings inside the vehicle. The State requests that this complaint issue by warrant as Martinez is in custody on unrelated matters.