Henry Yqvani Alvarez-Hernandez, 26, of Windom, has been charged in Cottonwood County Court with felony theft of a motor vehicle and gross misdemeanor financial transaction card fraud.
According to the criminal complaint, on June 17, an officer received a phone call about a stolen debit card being used in the city of Windom. There had been eight charges on the card between June 16 and 17, totalling $470.15.
Video surveillance from the stores shows an individual, identified as Alvarez-Hernandez, using the card to make purchases. One video from River Bend Liquor, showed Alvarez-Hernandez leaving in a blue Pontiac Vibe hatchback.
The officer contacted the owner of the vehicle, who said the vehicle was in a different place that morning than where he had left it. The officer showed the owner a photo. The owner identified Alvarez-Hernandez, who is his neighbor. The owner stated he had given Alvarez-Hernandez rides a few times, but had never granted permission to take the vehicle. The owner added that he typically leaves his keys in the vehicle.
The officer later spoke with Alvarez-Hernandez, who admitted to using the debit card after finding a wallet at a gas station. He stated he had thrown the wallet away and later threw the debit card away.
If convicted of vehicle theft, the maximum sentence is five years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both. The gross misdemeanor debit card fraud charge carries a maximum sentence, if convicted, of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine or both.
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