On December 26, 2025, at approximately 2240 hours, Minneapolis Police Officers were on routine patrol driving southbound on 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, stopped at a Light Rail Train crossing arm. Officers were stopped behind a vehicle with Minnesota License Plate [PLATE REDACTED]. The vehicle failed to drive forward when the Light Rail Train crossing arm lifted, and Officers honked their horn to alert the driver they could drive forward. The vehicle veered to the side of the road and then continued to drive southbound.
Officers ran the license plate and learned the vehicle had been reported stolen with its keys less than one hour prior at 2149 hours. Officers stopped the vehicle and identified the driver and sole occupant as DEIONDRAY ALLEN CRAWFORD, Defendant herein. The Defendant was placed under arrest and the vehicle confirmed to be stolen. The owner then came to pick up the vehicle. The owner did not give the Defendant permission to drive or take the vehicle and they did not know him. Officers were able to track the vehicle from where it had been reported stolen at 2149 hours, driving Northbound on Chicago Avenue South from Franklin Avenue East at 2150 hours, then Eastbound on 8th Street South from Chicago Avenue South at 2152 hours, and then Southbound on the 800 block of Hennepin Avenue at 2156 hours.
The Defendant has several pending charges related to tampering with motor vehicles and theft. The Defendant has received a stay of adjudication in a felony motor vehicle theft case and has several convictions for theft of motor vehicle related charges. The Defendant is currently out of custody.
