A Rochester man threatened to shoot a woman and her young children in a grocery store parking lot, urinated on the store floor and told another shopper he would kill him, according to charges.
Steven Joseph Drahos, 60, faces two felony counts of terroristic threats and one misdemeanor count of identity theft.
According to the complaint, officers were dispatched to a grocery store in southwest Rochester at about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The store manager told an officer that customers reported a man had urinated in the store and threatened to shoot or kill others, including children.
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In the parking lot, officers spoke with a woman who said she was loading her children, ages 7, 5 and 2, into her vehicle when a man on a bicycle walked past and said, “You better watch out. I’m gonna f***ing shoot you guys. I’m gonna go to a school. I’m gonna f***ing shoot people cause I don’t get help.” The woman told police the man looked directly at her and her children while making the threats, and that the children heard him and were frightened.
Officers also spoke with a man who said he entered the store and turned to grab a small shopping cart when he heard fluid hitting the floor. He turned and saw the suspect urinating on the floor. When the man yelled at him to leave, the suspect threatened to kill him and said he would wait outside. The man said the suspect pushed on the shopping cart and there was a “little tussle” back and forth.
Shortly after, officers found Drahos at a nearby liquor store. The complaint states Drahos was detained and read his rights. Drahos admitted being at the grocery store and urinating somewhere other than a toilet or urinal, but denied making threats or other alleged conduct.
A liquor store manager told officers that Drahos took a can of liquor and approached a woman inside, telling her, “you don’t want to die.” The manager said the woman turned around and left the store. The complaint says an officer found three counterfeit $100 bills, a Macy’s credit card in another person’s name and several items of drug paraphernalia that field-tested positive for methamphetamine on Drahos.
The woman from the parking lot later identified Drahos as the person who threatened her and her children during a show up.
The charges were filed Tuesday, September 29, in Olmsted County District Court.
About This Charge
Terroristic threats under Minnesota Statute § 609.713, subdivision 1, is a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 5 years, a $10,000 fine or both. Identity theft involving one direct victim and a value of $250 or less, under § 609.527, subdivision 3(1), is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of 90 days, a $1,000 fine or both.
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Jurisdictional Context
Olmsted County encompasses Rochester and is served by the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office through the Third Judicial District. Felony cases are heard at the Olmsted County Government Center in downtown Rochester.
