Man charged after body found underneath vehicle in Vadnais Heights garage

A 55-year-old man has been charged after authorities say a body was found underneath a vehicle in his garage in Vadnais Heights.

A criminal complaint states Jeffrey Thomas faces two counts of second-degree murder.

The complaint states deputies were called on Aug. 22 to Thornhill Drive in Vadnais Heights on the report of a loose dog.

Police were able to learn the dog belonged to a man who was visiting a friend at the home next door to where the dog was found.

When deputies approached the garage of the home, a man, later identified as Thomas, asked if they were there about the dog. Thomas said the dog belonged to his friend who was working on a vehicle inside of the garage.

The complaint says a deputy noticed two limp legs underneath the vehicle in the garage.

When deputies tried to check on the condition of the man underneath the vehicle, Thomas tried to prevent the deputies from doing so. The complaint says when the deputies went around to the front of the vehicle, they found a deceased man pinched between a floor jack and the rear of the vehicle.

As Thomas exited the garage, deputies noticed blood on his right foot, the complaint says.

When deputies entered the home, they found pooling blood and apparent drag marks. After a search warrant was executed, officers found two bullets and spent casings in the home.

When speaking with officers, Thomas said his friend was visiting from Tennessee and that he had gone to work on the vehicle in the garage. The complaint says Thomas told police when he went to check on him, he found him lifeless under the vehicle.

The complaint says the autopsy found the man died due to a gunshot wound to the chest.