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A Faribault man accused of stealing two vehicles and a flatbed trailer in July has made a first appearance in court.

Michael Jace Hesse-Walker, 28, was charged in Mower County District Thursday morning with four felony counts of theft — vehicle theft and theft – and one gross misdemeanor of giving a false name to a peace officer.

According to the court complaint, a Mower County Sheriff’s Office deputy made contact with a victim who reported the theft of a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado, 1997 Chevrolet Suburban and a flatbed trailer from an outdoor storage unit located at 1700 block of 10th Drive SE in Austin.

On multiple occasions on July 6-7, the suspect was viewed on video near the property and then at around 11:43 a.m. on July 7, video shows Hesse-Walker allegedly getting into the Silverado, which was connected to the trailer with the Suburban on the trailer, and driving off.

Two days later, on July 9, the deputy was contacted by the Albert Lea Police Department saying that the stolen Silverado had been located at Harold’s Bar in Albert Lea and that Hesse-Walker had been detained.

Photographs sent to the deputy showed Hesse-Walker wearing similar clothing, hair style and facial hair as the suspect in the video.

After Hesse-Walker was handed over to the Mower County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy attempted to gain information from the suspect who claimed he was Jeremiah Hesse, however, that turned out to be his brother’s name. Hesse-Walker allegedly admitted he gave the false name because he has warrants out of Steele County and Iowa.

DNA obtained from Hesse-Walker also allegedly matched DNA taken from the Silverado, which was verified by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in December of last year.

The victim of theft was able to recover the Silverado, but to date the Suburban ($8,000), trailer ($6,000) and a lawn mower that was in the bed of the truck ($3,000) have not been recovered.

In total, the estimated value of the vehicles and trailer tallied to $27,000.

Hesse-Walker’s next appearance in court is slated for Jan. 27.