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Michael Robert Neslon, 28, was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with felony motor vehicle theft Tuesday morning. He is being held in Winona County Jail without bail on a felony warrant out of Mower County for another charge of auto theft. He was scheduled to return to court Sept. 17.
Joseph Andrew Holden, 34, was arrested Saturday and charged Monday with theft of a motor vehicle and open bottle, according to Minnesota court records. He was also charged with felony burglary and financial transaction card fraud Tuesday, but it was unclear if all those charges were related.
He is being held in the Olmsted County Jail in lieu of $30,000 unconditional bail and $20,000 conditional bail. His next appearance in Olmsted County District Court is scheduled Sept. 22.
According to police reports, an officer on routine patrol about 4 p.m. Monday spotted someone parking a blue Oldsmobile Alero in the area of Second and Center streets. The car had been reported stolen out of Eyota, Minn., and the officer pulled up to the car as the driver, later identified as Nelson, was getting out, Deputy Chief Tom Williams said. He said Nelson saw the officer, got back in the car and drove away. The officer stopped Nelson about a block away and arrested him without further incident, according to the report.
Police say they suspect Nelson was involved in other area car thefts. Williams said Nelson was in possession of a purse that was inside a car stolen in Rushford, Minn., and a camera from a car stolen in downtown Winona.
Nelson is not cooperating with police, who have attempted to interview him, Williams said.
Holden is connected to the case through a black pickup truck stolen from the area of Second and Main streets in Winona and recovered in Wabasha at a gas station parking lot. Police have indicated they may have identified the driver of the pickup on the store’s video system. Police suspect Holden pawned guns and construction equipment found inside the pickup, Williams said.
It is unclear if police suspect the men of working together. Both men’s cases are still under investigation.
At least nine vehicles were stolen from Winona, Goodview, Lewiston, Stockton, Eyota, Rushford, Wabasha and Mower County in the past month or so, authorities said. Many of the vehicles were recovered near other stolen vehicles, and officials noticed a pattern.
The stolen vehicles were typically unlocked with the keys inside, Winona County Sheriff Dave Brand said. Several vehicles are still missing.
Nelson was arrested and charged with auto theft in January when he allegedly stole a sport utility vehicle from the garage of Winona Police Sgt. Gary Hoeppner.
Hoeppner said in April that he yelled at Nelson and pushed him while he was handcuffed and sitting in a squad car. Hoeppner was suspended for the incident and convicted of disorderly conduct but has since returned to work.
Nelson’s case was postponed indefinitely after a psychological evaluation found him to be incompetent to stand trial. A new hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 25.
According to Minnesota court records, Nelson has about a dozen convictions since 1999 in several counties for motor vehicle theft, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Holden has several convictions for theft and burglary.
Kevin Behr may be reached at (507) 453-3524 or at kbehr@winonadailynews.com.
