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Arrests made in theft ring
Published 12:00 p.m., October 6, 2009
Three people are in custody for allegedly burglarizing dozens OF homes in Becker and Otter Tail counties since early September.
Two of the suspects, both 18-year-old males, were arrested in downtown Detroit Lakes Saturday morning following a home invasion on Little Floyd Lake overnight. The men, whose names have not been disclosed, are expected to be charged Tuesday in Becker County, where authorities say additional arrests are likely.
Another suspect, Garett William Frank, 19, of Detroit Lakes, is in the Otter Tail County Detention Facility on a third degree burglary charge.
The Becker County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the burglaries in early September following thefts of big-ticket items like electronics and tools, said Sheriff Tim Gordon. What began as break-ins at empty lake cabins later turned into burglaries at occupied residences.
“That’s always a concern — when you see this kind of activity escalating,” Gordon said.
Gordon said he believed the suspects were involved in two to three dozen burglaries in Becker County alone. Additional burglaries have occurred in Otter Tail County, including 20 to 25 separate incidents Thursday night in Perham, according to Chief Brian Nelson. Officer Ron Smith was on routine patrol along 9th Street NW around 11:40 p.m. when he saw a hooded individual traveling on foot between residences. According to Nelson, Smith briefly lost sight of the man, then located him and another suspect in a vehicle traced to Detroit Lakes. Smith searched the vehicle after detecting an odor of marijuana and found a 12-inch screwdriver that was bent, appearing as though it had been used to pry something, Nelson said.
“(Smith) knew something wasn’t right but we didn’t have any burglary reports” at that time, Nelson said.
Perham police received several burglary reports from the northwest part of town Friday, determining the perpetrators had used pry bars or cut window screens to enter the residences. In some cases, callers reported cut screens but no signs of entry into the home, Nelson said.
The suspects allegedly entered a home on Little Floyd Lake early Saturday morning as residents were asleep, resulting in the theft of a vehicle, among other items, Gordon said. Authorities traced a stolen credit card to a Detroit Lakes retailer, whose video surveillance identified some of the suspects.
A 17-year-old girl was also taken into custody with the 18-year-olds, Gordon said. She was later released to her parents.
Becker County authorities have already recovered some of the stolen property and may find more, Gordon said. He estimated the total value of the property recovered would reach six figures.
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The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on October 6, 2009 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i hope these people get sent away, instead of a slap on the wrist
Posted by robbie (anonymous) on October 6, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yep, go get a job and buy it like those you are taking it from. Getting something for nothing agrees with far to many people.
Posted by watermelon (anonymous) on October 6, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe if these two misguided youth had taken up hockey, this never would have happened.
Posted by metasonics (Jamie Cooper) on October 6, 2009 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't condone burglary and certainly not the actions of these individuals, but one of the problems here with the "get a job" clap track is, there isn't enough jobs to employ everyone.
what are those people supposed to do?
now we get to reform and punish these young criminals, an pay for it out of our pockets as well, so whos really the thieves here?
We need to redefine our communities and reorganize into communities with opportunities for the young as well as the old.
imagine you were a young person in a community that regards you as a bum, yet offers no jobs. because thats the reality of many of these crimes.
what motivation would there be for you to respect a community like that? even better, why wouldn't you steal from and disrespect those who label you and have already taken all the decent opportunities for themselves?
Posted by werty (anonymous) on October 6, 2009 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Metasonics...um... they are the thieves to answer your question "whos really the thieves?"
Human tendency, for most people is to take the path of least resistance but stealing and home invasion is wrong regardless of the economic situation.
Your deep thought is not so deep.
Posted by Newshound (anonymous) on October 6, 2009 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Metasonics you are so far wrong there is no sunshine there. Not having a job is no excuse for petty thievery. There is nothing more cowardly and despicable than skulking about in the dark stealing from your neighbors.
This group was headed for a tragedy and any law enforcement officer will tell you that. Cheap sneak thievery at first. Going into a home when the people are there is an invitation to violent confrontation. If many of the people who live around here had awakened to find these cheap thugs in their house the morgue might be where they were resting today, not a nice comfy cell.
Nobody in the Fergus Falls community regards young people as bums.You need a reality check to show you the benefits of living where you do.
How about getting up tomorrow morning and going out to find a job, any kind of job, even a volunteer job. Watch how your outlook brightens,
Posted by shorty_p (Curt Proffit) on October 7, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am with you watermelon, some sport or activity at least
Posted by cece (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dl-online released the names of the boys. One of the boys I know for sure was in hockey, while he was in High School. So not real sure where you were going with that.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on October 9, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If only they had grown up with 4 chickens to take care of, they would be better citizens today.
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