August 9, 2024         Volume 15, Issue 32

Night to Unite Success!

August 6 was recognized in Owatonna as Night to Unite, which is a national crime prevention program. There were 36 neighborhood block parties with various activities and events that brought neighbors together to enjoy potluck dinners, games and more. Police and Fire Department staff, City Council and the City Administrator visited block parties to interact with attendees, explain programs the City offers and demonstrate public safety equipment. Owatonna police officers collected school supply donations that will be given to the Children's Remedial Fund of Steele County for underprivileged kids. Thanks to the community for making this event a great success.

California Man Pleads Guilty to Theft by Swindle of Owatonna Resident

STEELE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

ROBERT J. JARRETT, County Attorney

August 8, 2024

MEDIA RELEASE

California Man Pleads Guilty to Theft by Swindle of Owatonna Resident

Zihao Xu pleaded guilty today for his role in the theft by swindle of a 70-year-old Owatonna resident in over $110,000, Steele County Attorney Robert Jarrett announced.

Third Judicial District Court Judge Karen R. Duncan accepted Zihao Xu, age 30, guilty plea on the count of felony Theft by Swindle (amount over $35,000 in value) and ordered Xu to cooperate with a pre-sentencing investigation and return for sentencing on October 3, 2024. It is anticipated Xu will receive a guideline sentence consistent with the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission and be ordered to pay restitution to the victim.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim reported she had initially received a message on her computer around May 31, 2024, stating she needed to contact “Microsoft Support” regarding her computer being hacked. A multi-day communication ensued leading to the victim withdrawing over $50,000 cash and bringing cash to a cryptocurrency ATM in Faribault, which was then sent to the fraudster. Additionally, the victim was directed to purchase Lowe’s gift cards and provide the gift card numbers. On June 4, 2024, the victim withdrew an additional $50,000 cash from her local bank at the direction of the fraudster. Zihao Xu came to the victim’s residence in Owatonna under the guise of being an “undercover agent” and picked up the additional cash from the victim. The investigation is ongoing related to other persons involved in this swindle.

“This is an unfortunate example of the vulnerability of our seniors and the need to help our friends and family members,” said County Attorney Robert Jarrett. “It is important to have discussions with relatives who may be targeted for these scams. Scammers tend to add pressure to act quickly, pay in a specific way, and ask for personal or financial information. Unfortunately, this type of crime happens frequently, and it is rare to be able to track down offenders, often leaving victims out of thousands of dollars.”

“I’m grateful to the Owatonna Police Department and Detective Christian Berg who worked diligently on this case and was able to locate the offender, who was well outside of Minnesota.”

For more resources on scams and how to avoid them, contact your local law enforcement or visit https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams

A copy of the criminal complaint is available under court file 74-CR-24-975.