A Minneapolis man has been charged with felony third-degree burglary after Eden Prairie police say he was caught removing copper materials from a commercial building in the early morning hours of April 22.
Derek Wayne Dahl, 41, was arrested around 1:53 a.m. outside a building in the 6100 block of Blue Circle Drive. According to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court, officers responding to reports of copper theft found Dahl placing copper-related materials into the back of a Toyota.
Dahl allegedly admitted to removing the copper but claimed he had overnight permission from a man named “Jamie,” a claim officers could not corroborate. Contractors at the site told police that no one had been given permission to remove materials.
Dahl was charged April 23 with third-degree burglary, a felony under Minnesota law punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He was released from custody on April 24 after posting $20,000 bail, under conditions that include electronic home monitoring, compliance with geographic restrictions, and completion of a chemical dependency evaluation.
Court records show Dahl is scheduled to appear for an omnibus hearing on June 11 before Judge Kristen Marttila in Hennepin County District Court.