Woman surprises robbery suspect

Published 10:18 am Friday, January 13, 2017

An Austin woman early Friday was surprised to find a man sleeping in the backseat of her car — and police surprised him with a trip to jail.

Jade Okland, 22, whose last known address was Blue Earth, Minnesota, faces potential charges of trespass, damage to property, giving police a false name, attempted motor vehicle theft and third-degree burglary. He is in Mower County Jail.

According to an Austin police report, the victim at 5:38 a.m.,was getting into her vehicle, parked in her garage, at the 2000 block of Fourth Avenue Southeast, when she found a man sleeping in the backseat.

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She returned to her home and contacted authorities.

The man was gone from the garage upon the arrival of police, but they located him on foot at the intersection of 20th Street and First Avenue Southeast. He was found to have two cell phones, one of which was identified by the victim as hers and which had been left in her vehicle.

They also found a knife, and a pair of scissors with the tip broken. The tip was allegedly found in the ignition of the woman’s vehicle.

According to the complaint, the suspect claimed he was trying to get warm and that was why he was in the backseat of her vehicle.

Police said the suspect gave a false name to police, but jail staff allegedly recognized the man and provided the name.

The victim said the side door to her garage was unlocked. Police Chief Brian Krueger said residents need to be aware of the dangers of leaving doors unlocked.