One of two sentenced in vehicle theft

Published 5:30 pm Saturday, December 22, 2012

One of two men involved in a series of vehicle thefts was sentenced on a felony charge Friday in Mower County Court.

Jeffrey Myles Folkert, 44, of Rochester, was convicted of felony vehicle theft and sentenced to five years’ supervised probation and 100 hours of community service. He received a stay of imposition on another felony vehicle theft charge.

Aaron Michael Anderson, 32, previously pleaded not guilty to his involvement.

Email newsletter signup

According to the court complaint, witnesses say Anderson and Folkert collaborated in stealing vehicles from Nicol’s Auto in Lansing. The owner of Nicol’s reported someone on Aug. 18, 2011, stole a 1998 Chevy truck that contained spare tires and $600 worth of motocross gear. Then, on Aug. 23, the owner again reported a 1972, Chevy truck worth $10,000 stolen. Surveillance video from Rochester also links one truck to a stolen flatbed trailer. Police later found removed license plates to the 1998 Chevy, as well.

Detectives questioned both Folkert and Anderson. Folkert admitted to participating in several car thefts with Anderson but denied involvement in the 1972 Chevy theft, according to the court complaint. Anderson added he “helped” someone get rid of stuff and said he removed a transmission from a 1972 Chevy but denied involvement in any vehicle thefts.