17-year-old Willmar youth suspected of vehicle theft, burglary

WILLMAR - A 17-year-old Willmar boy remains in custody after he is alleged to have committed two thefts this week in Willmar.
Lateef Deondra Mahaffey has pleaded not guilty to a charge of felony vehicle theft for reportedly stealing a vehicle from Tony’s Auto Sales Tuesday.
The teen is also the suspect in a burglary that reportedly occurred within the past few days in Willmar.
Mahaffey made his first appearance on the vehicle theft charge Wednesday as a juvenile. Felony matters against 16- or 17-year-old juveniles are public record.
Lateef will remain in custody at Prairie Lakes Youth Detention Center until his next court date on Sept. 11.
According to police reports, Mahaffey reportedly took a blue Dodge Durango for a test drive at noon Tuesday from Tony’s Auto Sales. When he failed to return the vehicle, the business owner called police around 5 p.m.
An officer on patrol noticed a Durango matching the description of the stolen vehicle and performed a traffic stop.
Mahaffey reportedly was driving the vehicle and matched the description of the suspect given by Tony’s Auto Sales owner. He was then arrested for vehicle theft and taken into custody.
Willmar police also received a report around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday of a burglary on the 600 block of Becker Avenue Southwest in Willmar.
According to police reports, the owner of the property returned home to find his front door open and more than $1,900 of items gone.
Missing items included a Sony Playstation with games and controllers, a Nintendo DS, a watch, jerseys and other miscellaneous items.
The homeowner reported to police that he suspects Mahaffey broke into the apartment sometime within the past few days. He reported that Mahaffey has stayed at the residence before.
Willmar Police Chief Jim Felt said he expects Mahaffey will be charged with felony second-degree burglary and felony theft in the incident reported Wednesday.