WINONA, Minn. – A homeless man who took up a stranger’s offer to bunk temporarily in his house stole the Good Samaritan’s car keys, his car and his wallet, according to a police report. Sieven hours ours later, the homeless man was arrested back at the Samaritan’s house – while the Samaritan was still out scouring the neighborhood for the missing car. The homeless man locked the door and wouldn’t come out. Police broke the door down. Officers arrested Jeremy Eugene Ealy, 40, who was homeless with no address. He didn’t resist. Loads of charges were posted at jail:
> Auto theft.
> Drunken driving.
> Trespass.
> Theft.
> Being a fugitive from another state.
A goodwill gesture
This is the Samaritan’s account to police of what happened: Jeremy Ealy had been hanging around the 850 block of West Fifth Street off and on. After a while, the Samaritan struck up a conversation. Ealy said he was homeless. The homeowner offered to let him sleep on his couch until he could get his affairs on order. On Thursday about 3 p.m. Ealy told the homeowner he was going to Kwik Trip. The owner assumed that Ealy was walking over to the store, a few houses down the block. Three hours the homeowner realized that his car keys were missing – and so too his car. He called police and also his credit-card company. Yes, there had been a $100 charge at a Goodview tavern. The homeowner began canvassing the neighborhood for his car. He also kept trying to call and text Ealy but without response.
The arrest
Meanwhile, Ealy returned from his joy-ride and let himself in. Yes, he had not only the homeowner’s car keys but also the house keys. Police arrived. The house was locked. And Ealy, inside, was not answering. Then the owner showed up and authorized police to break down the front door. Ealy was arrested without resistance. This was about 9:50 p.m.
Ealy. Homeless. Charged with exploiting a West End home-owner’s helping hand.