Leather gear, nylon gear and handcuffs.
Those were a few of the items a 38-year-old man was selling on eBay after allegedly stealing them from the Rush City prison where he worked as a guard.
Buyers on the popular online auction site apparently didn't ask the man where he got his wares. Those who purchased leather and handcuffs online may have adhered to a don't-ask, don't-tell tradition.
Now the North Branch man, who held the rank of sergeant at the prison, faces felony theft charges after being arrested last week for allegedly stealing hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollars worth of items from the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Rush City and selling much of it on eBay.
The man, who has not been formally charged, was arrested after Chisago County sheriff's officials acted on an anonymous tip about the thefts, which they relayed to the Minnesota Department of Corrections. The department in turn investigated, asking the county for help. The man's home was searched last week, and many of the stolen items were found, police say.
Part of his responsibility at the prison was to order and distribute equipment for other prison officers, Chisago County officials said. So he had access to equipment that was stolen, including radio, key and flashlight holders, heavy-duty flashlights, portable radios, ear transmitters and label makers. The value of the items he took and exactly how much he may have made through eBay sales is still under investigation.
Though eBay sales resulting from fraud or theft aren't uncommon, an incident of this kind is the first for the Chisago County Sheriff's Office, said Sgt. Tracy Armistead.
The suspect, who has been employed with the Minnesota Department of Corrections since 1997, is on paid investigatory leave, said spokeswoman Shari Burt.
