Apple Valley Woman Accused of $1K Target Heist
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - A Dakota County woman is facing felony charges after allegedly stealing more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from a Target store in Apple Valley, according to a Dakota County Attorney’s Office criminal complaint.
On September 9, 2025, Target loss prevention staff reported that Ashley Haugstad, 37, of Saint Paul Park, had taken items, including a vacuum cleaner, and left the store without paying. Surveillance footage and internal documentation showed that she bypassed all checkout points, the complaint states. Haugstad was stopped by staff, and the stolen merchandise was recovered. However, she fled the scene in a vehicle. Apple Valley police later located and stopped the car, finding Haugstad inside.
After being read her Miranda rights, Haugstad admitted to taking the items without paying, according to the complaint.
Haugstad has been charged with felony theft for property valued over $1,000. Her bail was set at $10,000 without conditions, $5,000 with conditions, or $500 cash bail with conditions during her first court appearance on September 11, 2025, according to online court records. The latest court records indicate that she has posted bail and is no longer being held in the Dakota County Jail. Her next court appearance is set for October 1, 2025, at 1:30 PM in Hastings, Minnesota.
A complaint is an allegation, and Haugstad is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Written by: Juan Pierre
