On August 1, 2025, at approximately 7:37 PM, Officer Brandau with the Rochester Police Department was dispatched to a theft complaint that occurred at a college office in Southeast Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. He spoke with an employee, an adult female fully identified in police reports (hereinafter “Witness”), who stated that a male suspect stole an employee’s bag from her office. Witness stated she reviewed surveillance video, which showed the male walking around the building for approximately an hour.
The male eventually entered an office and left with a purse. The man then left the building and entered a gray four-door sedan. Officer Brandau reviewed the surveillance video and saw the male appeared to be approximately 60 years old. Officer Brandau spoke with the employee whose purse was stolen, an adult female fully identified in police reports (hereinafter “Victim”). She stated the bag was a Lululemon brand bag, and multiple items were inside the bag. Victim [NAME REDACTED] had financial cards in the purse, and she canceled all of the cards.
Her car key fob was also inside the purse. The total value of property stolen from Victim's office was $649.14. Victim later contacted Officer Brandau and advised him that her work purchasing card was in her purse, and that financial card had been used fraudulently before the card was canceled. Victim advised Officer Brandau that the card was used to make purchases in Rochester in the total amount of $1,653.62. Officer Brandau reviewed surveillance footage from one of the stores where Victim’s work purchasing card had been used by the suspect.
He observed a white male with black clothing and tattoos on his arms using the card. Officer Brandau circulated images of the suspect to other law enforcement officers. Sergeant Schlag with the Rochester Police Department identified the suspect as JABAR PEDRO MORAREND, [DOB REDACTED]. Sergeant Schlag advised Officer Brandau that Morarend is known to drive a gray sedan. Officer Brandau reviewed photographs of Morarend, and he appeared to be the individual in the surveillance video. Morarend is currently in custody in Freeborn County for multiple pending files.
A warrant issued for Morarend's arrest following his failure to appear for court, allegedly due to Morarend being in custody in the Mitchell County, Iowa jail. Morarend also has multiple pending Olmsted County warrants. Therefore, the State requests a Complaint Warrant be issued for Morarend. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: YOU MUST APPEAR FOR EVERY COURT HEARING REGARDING THIS CASE. FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR COURT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING IMPOSED AND PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 609.49.
