Two were arrested for theft of over $5,000 in merchandise from an Apple Valley business
Update: The story was updated at 1:40 PM on June 29th with the latest update from the Apple Valley Police Department.
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - Just before midnight on Monday, June 19, 2023, Apple Valley Police Officers were called out to Walgreens on Cedar Avenue in Apple Valley, Minnesota for the report of a theft that was in progress. According to the criminal complaint, two individuals were seen leaving the business with several bags full of merchandise that they did not pay for. They were last seen fleeing the scene in a sedan with a Minnesota license plate northbound on Cedar Avenue.
The criminal complaint states an Apple Valley Police Officer who was in the area spotted the suspect vehicle parked on the side of the road between two businesses with all the doors and the trunk open. When the Apple Valley Officer drove by the vehicle, he saw two individuals placing items into the white sedan. The Apple Valley Police Officer then saw the vehicle turn northbound on Cedar Avenue with the plastic tote from Walgreens on the ground where the car was once parked.
According to the criminal complaint, the Apple Valley Police Officer then stopped the vehicle and identified the driver of the vehicle as 36-year-old Stephanie Green and the passenger of the vehicle as 43-year-old Allen Dyar III. When the Apple Valley Police Officer questioned the two about being at the business, the criminal complaint states that Green denied ever being at the business as the Apple Valley Police Officer could plainly see Walgreens merchandise in the vehicle including boxes and bottles of Allegra, Claritin, and Sudafed. When a second Apple Valley Police Officer approached the vehicle, Green told the Officer that the two were at Wendy's and not at Walgreens. When the Officer stated he didn't see any Wendy's bags or wrappers, Green said they had eaten inside Wendy's. When the Officer rebutted with the dining road was closed, Green said it was at least worth trying to lie before admitting that they were inside Walgreens according to the criminal complaint. The Officer then asked about the theft, and Dyar just pointed to the back of the vehicle saying "It's back there" while pointing to the back of the car.
During their investigation, Apple Valley Police Officers collected evidence from Walgreens, including surveillance video, that showed the two individuals taking food and medications from the business and leaving the store without paying for the goods. The total cost of the merchandise that was stolen was $5,057.46. Dyar was charged with Felony Theft, which carries 0-5 years in prison and/or a $3,000-$10,000 fine. Dyar remains in custody at this time. We are still waiting for the charges to be released for Green. We have reached out to the Apple Valley Police Department for more information on her status. In an update from the Apple Valley Police Department, they state the County Attorney is reviewing the case and determining if any charges will be issued for Stephanie Green. If those charges are made, we will be sure to update this article with the latest updates.
According to an article from the Pine Journal, Allen Dyar III was arrested back in November 2013, and charged with three counts of drug possession, including selling ecstasy from a residence in Cloquet, Minnesota. When detectives searched his home, they found 40 ecstasy pills, 3 grams of marijuana, 25 hydrocodone pills, and 5.1 grams of cocaine.
