Second pleads not guilty to Lansing truck thefts

The second man in alleged Lansing vehicle thefts from August 2011 pleaded not guilty Thursday in Mower County Court.

Jeffrey Myles Folkert, 44, of Rochester, pleaded not guilty to four felony car theft charges.

Aaron Michael Anderson, 32, pleaded not guilty to the same charges last week for his alleged involvement.

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 that someone on Aug. 18, 2011, stole a 1998 Chevy truck from the property that contained spare tires and $600 worth of motocross gear. Then, on Aug. 23, 2011, the owner 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.

Detectives questioned both Folkert and Anderson about the thefts. 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. Anderson is scheduled for an Oct. 12 pretrial while Folkert is scheduled for Sept. 20.

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