Two people face multiple felony charges in what prosecutors describe as an identity theft and stolen property scheme that began with a vehicle break-in at Riley Lake Park in Eden Prairie in May 2024 – more than a year before charges were filed.
Jean McDyess, 21, of Brooklyn Park, and Catherine Joy Wertman, 28, of Minneapolis, are charged in separate criminal complaints stemming from the same investigation.
McDyess is charged in Hennepin County District Court with three felonies – possession or sale of stolen or counterfeit checks, receiving stolen property and financial transaction card fraud – and one misdemeanor count of fleeing a peace officer on foot.
Wertman faces six felony counts, including identity theft, possession or sale of stolen or counterfeit checks, theft by swindle and financial transaction card fraud, as well as one misdemeanor count of possessing a stolen or counterfeit check.
Both were charged July 25, 2025, with the cases filed in court five days later. Court records show they are out of custody and due for first appearances Aug. 19.
According to the criminal complaints, Eden Prairie police responded May 4, 2024, to Riley Lake Park after a woman reported her vehicle’s window had been smashed and her purse taken. Days later, police learned her identification was used to open a BMO Bank account and rent eight vehicles from multiple Enterprise locations without her permission – part of what authorities allege in court filings was a broader operation spanning several counties.
Investigators say Wertman used the stolen identity on May 7 to rent a gray Nissan Kicks SUV and on May 9 provided an associate, identified as Brittni Bigan, with the victim’s information to rent a silver GMC Terrain. Police found the Terrain later that day near a Hopkins parking lot. Its occupants – including McDyess – fled on foot before being apprehended.
Officers reported finding $24,243 in cash partially buried in nearby mulch, as well as stolen financial cards, checks linked to thefts from vehicles in Hennepin, Dakota, Wright and Carver counties, a green window punch, nitrile gloves turned inside out containing stolen checks, and a large magnet used to defeat retail security sensors.
A phone seized from McDyess allegedly contained images of stolen IDs and credit cards, plus messages about potential theft targets.
Police say a stolen Chrysler minivan connected to Wertman was later recovered with more stolen checks, credit cards and identification. The Nissan Kicks was also found, containing clothing matching what Wertman allegedly wore in surveillance video from an earlier fraudulent rental.
The complaints link the stolen property to multiple victims and incidents across Minnesota, with some cases involving thousands of dollars in losses.
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