On January 13, 2026, Ramsey County deputies took a report of a theft from Target, [ADDRESS REDACTED], Shoreview, Ramsey County. The theft occurred on January 12, 2026. Loss prevention found two missing spider security wraps that had been stripped from two Dyson vacuums. Surveillance video showed two women, acting together, taking the vacuums and staging them in a cart at the front of the store. The women returned a short time later and pushed the vacuums out of the store without paying for them. The vacuums are valued at $2,099.98. Loss prevention recognized one of the women as Roberta Rose Howard, [DOB REDACTED]. Howard has a long history of thefts, and is a suspect in multiple thefts, working with others, to steal merchandise in the Twin Cities and surrounding communities.
Howard has dyed red hair that she frequently wears in a large bun on the top of her head. On January 30, 2026, an investigator learned that Howard was held in the Ramsey County Detention Center on other matters. The investigator advised Howard of her Miranda rights. He then showed Howard a surveillance photo of the two women standing the by cart with the stolen Dyson vacuums. Howard identified herself in that photo. She then declined to participate further in the interview. Howard has at least 7 felony theft convictions dating back to 2024.