Carjacking Incident in Apple Valley Leads to Arrest
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA – In the early hours of Tuesday, June 25, 2024, a carjacking incident occurred in Apple Valley, Minnesota, leading to the arrest of Jonlee Goers, 43, of South Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Dakota County District Court has charged Goers with Carjacking in the 3rd Degree, which carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a fine ranging from $6,000 to $20,000.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident allegedly began when the victim, who works at a restaurant in Burnsville, Minnesota, noticed Goers lingering around the establishment for a few hours and had even observed him interacting with Burnsville police officers outside the restaurant. The victim reportedly suspected Goers to be intoxicated. Later, the victim reportedly offered to give Goers a ride.
Goers had reportedly given the victim directions, but upon reaching Glazier Avenue in Apple Valley, Goers allegedly attacked the victim. According to the criminal complaint, Goers allegedly reached across the victim to open the driver’s door, kicked the victim in the face, and forced him out of the vehicle. As the victim tried to retrieve the keys, Goers reportedly punched him twice in the head, causing the victim to fall to the ground. It is alleged that Goers then drove away in the victim’s Jeep. The victim sustained injuries, including head trauma, a bloody knee, and a potentially broken ankle, according to the criminal complaint.
Later that afternoon, law enforcement from the South St Paul Police Department located the stolen Jeep outside Goers’ residence in South Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was reported that Goers was seen near the vehicle that day. The criminal complaint states that a South Saint Paul officer confirmed Goers’ identity using still images from Burnsville officers' body cameras.
The criminal complaint says that Goers was subsequently arrested for violating an unrelated protection order. It was reported in the criminal complaint that during a Mirandized statement, Goers allegedly claimed that a friend named “Jake” had lent him the vehicle. However, upon confronting the victim’s account, it was reported that Goers admitted, “Yeah, I guess I did do that,” and revealed that he had been awake for 2-3 days due to methamphetamine use.
Court records show that Goers is currently facing charges for Carjacking in the 3rd Degree, a felony offense. Court records show also had pending cases for alleged 4th degree assault, obstructing police, and fleeing police.
This article provides an overview of the allegations against Goers, detailing the charges, evidence, and potential legal outcomes. The community is reminded that charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further updates on this case will depend on the progress of the legal proceedings.
Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash