St. Paul Woman Charged After Allegedly Stealing Vehicle from Lakeville Motel, Arrested on Warrant After Missing Court
Published: July 7, 2026
LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA: A 21-year-old St. Paul woman is facing a felony charge after prosecutors say she stole a vehicle from a Lakeville motel parking lot before abandoning it in Minneapolis with significant damage. According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, Mariah Lynn Wakonabo, 21, of St. Paul, has been charged with one felony count of Theft (Motor Vehicle Use Without Consent).
If convicted, the charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a fine between $3,000 and $10,000 under Minnesota law.
Vehicle Reported Stolen from Lakeville Motel
According to the complaint, the investigation began on April 20, 2026, when an adult male reported that his vehicle had been stolen after he stayed at a motel in Lakeville on Friday, April 17.
The victim told investigators he had picked up a friend, identified in court documents as L.T., before the two went to the motel. Wakonabo, who was reportedly a friend of L.T., later joined them at the motel room around 5:30 p.m. The three spent time together inside the room throughout the evening. Court documents state that L.T. eventually fell asleep while the victim took a shower.
Before the victim went to sleep, Wakonabo reportedly told him she wanted to go home and planned to call an Uber for transportation. When the victim woke up the following morning, however, both his vehicle and its keys were gone.
The stolen vehicle was identified as a 2014 Dodge Avenger bearing Minnesota license plates. The victim told investigators he had not given anyone permission to drive or use his vehicle.
According to the complaint, both the victim and L.T. attempted to contact Wakonabo after discovering the vehicle missing, asking her to return it. Court documents state she did not answer any of their attempts to reach her.
When officers later spoke with Wakonabo by phone, prosecutors say she denied knowing either the victim or L.T., denied being in Lakeville on April 17, and denied taking the vehicle.
Surveillance Video Allegedly Captured Theft
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the motel as part of the investigation. According to prosecutors, the video showed the victim, L.T., and Wakonabo arriving together around 5:30 p.m. to check into the motel. Wakonabo was reportedly wearing white shoes, a black long-sleeve crop top, black pants, and carrying a black purse.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., surveillance allegedly captured Wakonabo leaving the motel wearing the same clothing.
Court documents allege she was then seen running through the parking lot, getting into the driver's seat of the victim's Dodge Avenger, and driving away.
Vehicle Found in Minneapolis
Authorities later recovered the stolen vehicle in Minneapolis. According to the complaint, the vehicle was unoccupied when it was found and had sustained damage throughout its exterior.
No additional information about the damage was included in the criminal complaint.
Failed to Appear in Court
Court records show Wakonabo's initial court appearance had been scheduled for June 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. According to court documents, she failed to appear for that hearing, prompting the court to issue a warrant for her arrest that same day.
The warrant was executed on July 7, 2026, when officers with the Lakeville Police Department arrested Wakonabo in Inver Grove Heights.
Prosecutors requested bail be set at $5,000 without conditions, or alternatively $0 with conditions. Court records indicate Wakonabo was ultimately released on $0 bail with conditions while the felony case proceeds through Dakota County District Court.
Written by: Will Wight
