The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

An Ottertail man has been charged with the burglary of a shed in April. Court records allege that Alexander Hardenberg, 19, and a juvenile male stole two chainsaws, two mountain bikes and other items from property at 42452 Long Lake Road.

Hardenberg has been charged with third degree burglary.

Court records state that a deputy responded to the address on April 24 after a neighbor reported seeing two males trying to steal D-cell batteries from the shed. The man said he went out and told the two to leave, and they walked to a residence further down the road. The residence turned out to be Hardenberg’s address, but when the deputy knocked, no one came to the door. Multiple neighbors reported seeing Hardenberg and someone else allegedly cutting wood earlier in the day with what appeared to be new chainsaws.

Later that day, the deputy spoke to the shed’s owner and was able to determine that the bikes and chainsaws were stolen. On a return visit by law enforcement to Hardenberg’s home, Hardenberg allegedly stated that he had only gone to the shed in order to stop his friend, a juvenile from New York Mills, from stealing from it. Later conversations with Hardenberg’s mother (who also lives at the home) revealed that she had seen Hardenberg and his friend with multiple chainsaws.

On April 29, a deputy interviewed the juvenile, who allegedly claimed that the burglary was Hardenberg’s idea.

After some questioning of both the juvenile and Hardenberg, the sheriff’s office allegedly located mountain bikes and chainsaws that matched the description of those stolen, as well as a tool set, an ax and some pruning shears also believed to be stolen.