

Becoming apprised of the situation, one family member reportedly said, "Oh my god, he’s lost it again." Officers contacted Helms' family, who were concerned and confirmed that Helms had been acting unusual lately and had a history of drug use. His comments are described in the criminal complaint as erratic and incoherent at times. In talking with police officers, Helms reportedly stated that Tinge was deceased and that he had seen Tinge dead inside Tinge's home. McLeod County did make an attempt, but were not able to make contact and noted that lights were on inside Tinge's home. Police contacted the McLeod County Sheriff's Office and asked if a deputy would go by Tinge's residence and try to make contact. A gas receipt showed that Tinge's bank cards had been used to buy gas a few hours earlier. Searching the vehicle, the officer found a wallet containing Tinge's license and social security card. A call to Tinge's phone went straight to voicemail, after which Helms reportedly became visibly nervous. The officer ran the vehicle's plates and learned it was registered to Timothy Tinge, 65, of Plato, Minnesota. A police radar detector was reportedly visible on the dashboard. He then changed his story and said he had purchased the vehicle from its current owner, according to court documents.
Timothy tinge driver#
The driver was identified as Sammual Helms, 32, of Glencoe, Minnesota, who reportedly claimed he was borrowing the vehicle to drive to Kansas.

In the early morning of July 30, a Worthington police officer initiated a traffic stop. The owner of a stolen vehicle found in Nobles County has been found dead in his home, and his death has been ruled a homicide.
