A 21-year-old man repeatedly broke into the Minneapolis Police Department’s forensic garage and stole or disturbed evidence from numerous vehicles in connection with criminal cases, including one involving a homicide, according to charges.
Dakoda S. Peplinski of Minneapolis was charged in Hennepin County District Court this week with three felonies: receiving stolen property, theft and fleeing police in connection with the series of break-ins from March 10 until his March 22 arrest during a police pursuit.
Peplinski is jailed on $10,000 bail ahead of an April 25 court appearance. Should he post bond, the court has warned him to stay away from the police garage just west of downtown on Colfax Avenue N.
A message was left Wednesday with his attorney seeking a response to the allegations.
The criminal complaint says Peplinski entered more than two dozen vehicles in all, with most occurring March 10.
The Star Tribune has inquired with the Police Department, the County Attorney’s Office and the county’s chief public defender for any information about the evidence that was stolen and the impact on cases.
“Since we learned about the break-in, we have been in continual communication with the Minneapolis impound lot and the Minneapolis Police Department about the possibility of impacted criminal cases,” said Nick Kimball, spokesman for County Attorney Mary Moriarty, in a statement. “We have been working together to document the affected vehicles, assess the impact to cases and ensure we make necessary disclosures on any pending cases.”
Minneapolis police Sgt. Garrett Parten said the department had no comment on the thefts and possible impact on prosecutions.