Mankato Man Arrested with Juveniles in Madelia Robbery Investigation
By Robert Lawson
News Director, KTOE News
Three people were arrested in New Ulm after an alleged robbery in Madelia. Jeff Gideon reported to police that someone ripped the proceeds from his employer’s business from his hands late at night after closing Howard Dysthe’s Standard gas station near Highway 15 Thursday, February 29. The funds were in a leather pouch, which Gideon was reportedly bringing over to the Dysthe residence, and when Gideon stepped out of the vehicle, a young male allegedly snatched the pouch and ran off into the darkness. Gideon then reportedly called the police and filed a report. Two Madelia police officers and six Watonwan County Sheriff’s reservists responded. Luckily, snow had fallen and footsteps could be tracked by authorities to the city dump a mile away, then tire tracks were observed leading out of the dump grounds. Police spotted a car occupied with three young males that was previously monitored for suspicious activity in the area. Madelia and New Ulm police coordinated during the investigation and police pulled over the car and questioned the males inside, two of whom were juveniles. Three juvenile girls were also questioned and released by police. Police recovrered $352 in cash that was allegedly hidden by the suspects, along with a money bag that was thrown into the Cottonwood River bridge. Police said abount $150 in checks and the receipts could not be recovered. Marke Becker, 18, of Mankato, was arrested and taken to Blue Earth County Jail. A 16- and a 17-year-old were also arrested. They faced a court date in Watonwan County Court in St. James.
Police also said they found two juveniles in a Madelia used car lot attempting to steal a car stereo that same week.