Rodney Allen Vilas

On May 15, 2026, at approximately 9:39 P.M., University of Minnesota Police Officers were dispatched to a bait bike theft from a location on 19th Ave. South, in Hennepin County, Minnesota. The bike had been secured via a cable lock to a bike rack and was outfitted with a tracking device to monitor its location. Officers were advised that two people, one of whom was subsequently identified as RODNEY ALLEN VILAS, hereafter Defendant, were observed on surveillance footage cutting the bike lock and leaving with the bike.

Neither individual had permission to take the bike. Using the tracking device, Officers located Defendant walking with the bike. Officers activated their emergency lights, verbally identified themselves, and instructed Defendant to stop. Defendant did not stop but fled Officers on foot. After a protracted foot chase, Officers apprehended Defendant. Officers arrested Defendant and searched him incident to arrest, recovering the following from Defendant’s person: a pair of red pliers, 2 sets of metal knuckles, and a butterfly-style black knife.

Officers obtained surveillance footage which showed Defendant cutting the bike lock and taking the bike. Officers also recovered the cut bike lock and bait bike. The bike was valued at $625. At present, Defendant is not in custody.