St. Paul Man Detained After Ice Cream Truck Theft
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – A St. Paul man is in police custody after stealing an ice cream truck from a gas station on Wednesday.
According to an investigator with the St. Paul Police, 36-year-old Joseph Allen Facente took a parked 1997 Econoline van from the Super America located at 577 Smith Ave.
The van had been converted into an ice cream truck, and was parked while running with the keys in the ignition in order to keep the air conditioning on to cool the frozen treats in the 100 degree weather. The van's owner reported it stolen to police.
A Mendota Heights police officer stopped the van driven by Facente at Interstate 35E and Highway 13. After being turned over to St. Paul Police, Facente claimed to have permission to use the van to "sell ice cream throughout the neighborhood." When asked where he was heading, Facente responded, "Frogtown. They love me over there."
Facente has two prior felony convictions. He is currently being held at the Ramsey County Jail on $10,000 bond.
