‘I’ve Been Working on the Railroad’

Each week, Dakota County Sheriff Dave Bellows releases a newsletter.

In case you haven't seen it, Patch has it.

Here is a sample of what was found in this week’s newsletter:

An investigation involving on-going thefts of metal plates used to secure railroad ties resulted in the arrest of two men this past week. As part of rail maintenance, the plates are left along the railway and workers attach them afterward. The DCSO was advised the metal plates, weighing several pounds, were stolen before workers arrived at the location to secure them. A camera was set up in the area, which revealed two men taking the plates and included the license plate of the vehicle used to transport the material. A search warrant executed at the residence of the suspects led detectives to a scrap metal dealer in southern Minnesota. It was determined the pair had sold over 10,000 pounds of metal plates taken in a number of thefts over time. The case was investigated by Captain Jim Rogers, Sergeant Rick Schroder, Detectives Rob Hosking, Thomas Jacobson, Dawanna Witt, Mike Fendrick, and Ryan Olson, and Patrol Sergeant Bruce Kammen. The two suspects have been charged with felony theft.