Police Arrest Trio of ‘Known Heroin Users’ Attempting to Steal Car

Three suspects described by police as “known heroin users” were arrested late last month while trying to steal a car from a garage.

A.J. Gillet, 23 of Mound, Emily Hanus, 19 of Mound, and Sierra Linford, 18 of Spring Park, all face felony-level burglary charges after being arrested May 26.

A report prepared by Detective Dan Niccum of the Mound Police Department indicates officers on routine patrol near the 4500 block of Wilshire Boulevard spotted Hanus just before 9 p.m. driving a car without its headlights on and with a broken brake light. Hanus had an active warrant out for her arrest in connection with the burglary of her parents’ house earlier this year.

Hanus, who police say is a known heroin user, was stopped and arrested. A search of her person uncovered ignition keys for a pair of vehicles.

On a hunch, police drove to Hanus’ parents’ house. Upon arrival they found the service door to a garage open and a female, soon identified as Linford, near the main residence.

Linford told officers she was at the home to retrieve a wallet and that she had left there and was the only one on the property.

Pressed by police, Linford eventually told officers that she, Hanus and a man identified as Gillet, came to the Hanus home to steal a vehicle from the garage. According to a criminal complaint filed Monday, Linford said the three wanted to by heroin from their dealer and were looking for a “clean” car with current insurance and registration. She further told police that Gillet was still inside the house.

Police are familiar with Gillet and likewise describe him as a known heroin user.

Finding an open window with a missing screen, police called for Gillet to come outside and surrender, which he did.

Both he and Linford, as well as Hanus, were all transported to the Hennepin County Jail, where they remained as of this posting.

Hanus’ mother and father, who were out of town for the Memorial Day holiday, were  notified of the incident. Both told police they feared their daughter, who had not been living at the home since February and did not have permission to be on the property, would attempt to burglarize the residence while they were away.

Hanus, Linford and Gillet all face second-degree burglary charges and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted and given the maximum sentence.