Crime & Safety

Car on the Rocks: DNA Leads Police to Tire Theft Suspect

Now, Kee Thao, 29, of North St. Paul, faces a felony theft charge for allegedly stealing tires from a Woodbury resident's 2001 Chevy S10.

The owner found his truck’s tires removed and the vehicle standing on rocks and a jack sitting on a car stereo.

Police found two screwdrivers nearby.

Now, Kee Thao, 29, of North St. Paul, faces a felony theft charge for allegedly stealing tires from a Woodbury resident’s 2001 Chevy S10. DNA swabs from the screwdrivers were linked to Thao.

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Woodbury police on Nov. 30, 2012, were called to the 6100 block of Birchwood Road on a theft report. The truck’s owner told an officer he had parked the Chevy in his driveway.

There they found the truck without its tires, along with two screwdrivers, which were swabbed and sent to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis and matched to Thao, who is currently incarcerated at the Stillwater prison, according to the criminal complaint.

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When interviewed by police, he admitted he stole the tires (valued at $862) and sold them for $150, the complaint says.

Thao within the past five years has been convicted of two felony car theft charges.


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