Warrant: Minnesota woman stole nearly $11K from murdered husband

BLOOMING PRAIRIE, Minn. (KMSP) - Police have issued an arrest warrant for the wife of a man who they believe was murdered in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota earlier this week.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Department has been looking for Lois Riess as a person of interest in her husband's murder since at least Sunday, and believe she illegally transferred close to $10,000 from a bank account dedicated to her husband's business to another of his personal accounts before forging his signature on three checks totaling $11,000.

The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Riess' husband died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Riess, 56, is now wanted on felony theft charges, and is described by police as 5-foot-5 and 165 pounds, with brown eyes and light blonde hair--though authorities note she has changed her hair color in the past.

She is believed to be driving a white 2005 Cadillac Escalade with Minnesota license plate 864-LAE and may be armed, with police cautioning the public to avoid approaching her. 

According to an earlier report, Riess is known to frequent area casinos.  

Anyone with information on Riess' whereabouts is encouraged to call the Dodge County Sheriff's Office at 507-635-6200.