Two found in stolen car, arrested by Rochester police

(ABC 6 News) – Rochester police located two suspects in two-day search for a stolen car, and arrested both Wednesday.

At about 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, an Olmsted County Sheriff’s Deputy ran the plates for a teal Pontiac Torrent with Wisconsin license plates as it turned onto West Center Street in Rochester.

Lt. Franklin Ohm with the Rochester Police Department said the deputy saw a man and woman in the driver’s and passenger seats, respectively, and "called out" the stolen car to other law enforcement in the area.

A Rochester police officer caught up with the vehicle at 1st Street NE and Civic Center Drive, but when the officer turned on sirens and lights and attempted a traffic stop, the occupants fled, reaching a speed of 70-75 miles per hour up Civic Center Drive and 7th Street.

Officers stopped the pursuit and lost sight of the car around 9th Street.

On Wednesday, Aug. 3, Rochester police received a medical call at about 10:53 a.m. and were directed to the vehicle in the 1000 block of 4th Street SW.

Ohm said the caller told police the driver of the vehicle was unconscious in the driver’s seat.

Upon arriving, police re-confirmed that the vehicle was stolen and learned that the driver, 41-year-old Daniel Christopher Hill, was merely sleeping.

Hill was arrested for felony possession of stolen property (the car) and felony fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle.

The passenger, 32-year-old Catherine Pelowski, was released at the scene.

However, a search of the vehicle revealed two Kobalt tool bags with Dewalt tools inside, valued at more than $1,100.

Ohm said some of the tools still had security tags attached.

Rochester police contacted local stores until a Rochester Lowe’s confirmed that they had video footage of Pelowski allegedly shoplifting the items.

Pelowski was located and arrested shortly after. She faces charges of theft by shoplifting in an amount over $1,000, which is a felony.

Neither suspect has a permanent address.