A man broke into a Shakopee garage and stole a Toyota RAV4 before police located the vehicle using satellite technology and arrested him nearby, according to the complaint.
James Francis Muelken faces charges of first-degree burglary and theft of a motor vehicle, according to a complaint filed October 22 in Scott County District Court.
According to the complaint, Shakopee police were dispatched the morning of October 21 after a man reported his vehicle missing from his garage. The victim told officers he had parked his Toyota RAV4 in the garage the previous evening, closed the garage door and left a set of keys inside the vehicle. The next morning, he discovered the garage door open and the vehicle gone.
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The victim also noticed that a second set of keys, kept in the mudroom, was missing and that a garage door opener had been taken from the house. He said he had not given anyone permission to take the vehicle.
Officers learned that earlier that morning, another resident in the area reported someone attempting to open his vehicle, and that the incident was captured on a Ring camera. Police contacted Toyota’s Stolen Motor Vehicle Locator Team, who provided the last known location of the stolen vehicle. Prior Lake police found the Toyota RAV4 unoccupied in a parking lot at a townhome complex.
Officers noted the driver’s side window was down, black latex gloves were on the front passenger seat, and a fresh cigarette butt was found near the driver’s door. Two key fobs for the vehicle were found inside. Officers also smelled cigarette smoke in the vehicle, and the victim confirmed he does not smoke.
A neighbor told police he had seen a man in the area. Shown a booking photograph of Muelken, the neighbor said he had just seen him at a nearby park. Officers went to the park and found Muelken sitting in a pavilion. As he walked away, officers positively identified and arrested him.
During his arrest, Muelken remarked that he had recently stolen a car and left it in the area. After being advised of his rights, Muelken admitted to stealing the Toyota RAV4 from the home and to tampering with another vehicle parked in the driveway at the same residence, but said he did not steal the second vehicle because there were no keys inside.
He also stated the Toyota was parked in the driveway when he took it, not inside the garage. Officers noted Muelken was smoking Camel cigarettes at the time.
Officers reviewed home surveillance video from a nearby residence, which showed a man in a hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and dark shoes attempting to access the home through various outside doors.
The complaint says Muelken has a history of stealing vehicles and burglarizing homes, and that he had absconded from parole and was wanted on multiple active warrants at the time of his arrest.
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Scott County Sheriff Employee Charged in Mall of America Theft Scheme • Youth Minister Charged After Nude Photo Requests, Assault • Shakopee Man Charged After Gun Threat Over Bedroom Encounter
Jurisdictional Context
Scott County, in the southwest Twin Cities metro, is served by the Scott County Attorney’s Office through the First Judicial District. Felony cases are heard at the Scott County Justice Center in Shakopee.
