Three suspects were charged with first degree controlled substance crimes after their vehicle was stopped on Interstate 94 near Alexandria Monday night.
In addition to stolen property, the men were found in possession of more than 28 grams of crack cocaine concealed in the vehicle's door, according to the Douglas County Attorney's Office.
The suspects are Brandon Marcel Thomas (the driver and owner of the vehicle), 25, of Columbia Heights, Daron Asaad Johnson, 22, of Brooklyn Center and Anthony Frederick Shannon, 22, of Robbinsdale.
The vehicle, a Dodge Charger, was stopped near milepost 106 east of Alexandria at 6:48 p.m. after a woman called the State Patrol to report a theft. The caller said that the suspects had stolen her iPad, purse, another bag and keys. She also told authorities that the men were traveling to the Minneapolis area with two ounces of cocaine.
After pulling over the suspects, a trooper and two narcotics task force agents searched the vehicle and found the allegedly stolen items and 19 plastic bags concealed in the passenger-side door near the locking mechanism. The bags contained varying amounts of what was preliminary determined to be cocaine.
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All three suspects appeared in Douglas County District Court Wednesday for bail hearings.
Thomas' bail was set at $700,000 for unconditional release, or $60,000 cash on specified conditions. Bail for Johnson and Shannon was set at $500,000 for unconditional release or $30,000 cash on specified conditions.
