Minneapolis Man Charged After Allegedly Stealing Delivery Car and Leading Apple Valley Police on Pursuit
Published: March 4, 2026
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - A Minneapolis man with an extensive criminal history is facing new felony charges after authorities say he attempted to steal money from an Apple Valley pizza joint before taking a delivery driver’s vehicle and leading police on a dangerous pursuit.
Jeremy Allen Roberts Ayala, 32, of Minneapolis, has been charged in Dakota County District Court with felony theft of a motor vehicle and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle following the February 28 incident in Apple Valley.
Attempted Theft at Apple Valley Pizza Shop
According to the criminal complaint, officers with the Apple Valley Police Department were dispatched around 11:45 PM on February 28, 2026, to a report of suspicious activity at the Papa John’s in the 15000 block of Cedar Avenue in Apple Valley.
The criminal complaint goes on to state that, according to dispatchers, Roberts Ayala entered the business, went behind the counter, and attempted to access the cash register. Before employees or officers could intervene, he exited the restaurant and entered a blue sedan that had been left running outside. The vehicle belonged to a pizza delivery driver who had briefly stepped inside the store to pick up orders. Authorities say Roberts Ayala did not have permission to enter or use the vehicle.
An officer arrived at the scene with emergency lights activated while Roberts Ayala was sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Instead of complying with police commands, prosecutors say he fled the parking lot in the stolen car.
Pursuit Ends With PIT Maneuver
Multiple officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but Roberts Ayala allegedly drove away, ignoring stop signs, crossing the center line, and driving onto the shoulder of the roadway. Officers noted that the vehicle nearly lost control on at least two occasions during the pursuit.
The pursuit eventually ended when officers performed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver in the area of Garden View Drive and County Road 42, forcing the vehicle to stop. Roberts Ayala reportedly refused commands to exit the car until officers deployed pepper ball rounds, after which he was taken into custody. Authorities noted that he appeared to be under the influence at the time of the incident, and a blood draw was later obtained under a search warrant to determine whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
Bail Request and Conditions
The Dakota County Attorney’s Office has requested bail of $100,000 without conditions, or $75,000 with conditions. Roberts Ayala is currently awaiting his first appearance, scheduled for today, March 4, 2026, when the judge will determine and set his official bail.
Extensive Criminal History
According to prosecutors, Roberts Ayala has a lengthy record of prior convictions that includes drug offenses, theft, and other crimes.
Court records show convictions including:
Felony fifth-degree controlled substance possession (2025)
Gross misdemeanor theft (2025)
Gross misdemeanor DWI involving drugs (2023)
Felony theft and felony drug possession (2023)
Felony threats of violence (2019)
Multiple additional theft convictions dating back more than a decade. MCRO_19HA-CR-26-303_Prosecution…
Previous Dakota County Case
Roberts Ayala most recent criminal charges in Dakota County stemmed from a 2024 case where he was charged with fifth-degree controlled substance possession (felony) and misdemeanor theft following an incident at the Eagan Outlet Mall. According to that complaint, an Eagan police officer arrested Roberts Ayala on December 19, 2024, after he was observed leaving a store with stolen shoes valued at approximately $200.
During the arrest, jail staff discovered a small bindle containing a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, weighing approximately 0.62 grams, which led to the felony drug possession charge.
On September 4, 2025, Roberts Ayala was convicted of felony fifth-degree controlled substance possession (felony), while the misdemeanor theft charge was dismissed. He was sentenced to 1 year and 1 day at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud following a downward durational for a crime less onerous than usual, and was also given credit for 185 days in jail. Records from the Minnesota Department of Corrections show he was under supervision beginning on November 17, 2025.
Ongoing Court Proceedings
The new charges filed in Dakota County carry potential penalties of:
Up to five years in prison and fines up to $10,000 for motor vehicle theft
Up to three years and one day in prison and fines up to $5,000 for fleeing police in a motor vehicle.
Roberts Ayala remains in custody while the case proceeds through the court system.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
