A Cottage Grove man has been charged with a felony after authorities say he broke into a South St. Paul animal hospital and later removed a dog that had been ordered euthanized following a dangerous dog determination.
Dakota County prosecutors have charged Evan Scott Thomsen, 39, of Cottage Grove, with one count of possession of burglary or theft tools, a felony offense under Minnesota law. The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
According to the criminal complaint, the case stems from events that began after the St. Paul Park Police Department seized a dog on June 7 that had been deemed dangerous. Authorities said the animal was subsequently ordered to be euthanized.
The complaint states that officers were dispatched to an animal hospital in South St. Paul at approximately 4:40 a.m. on June 12 after an alarm was triggered inside the facility. Investigators learned that a man had entered the building without permission. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the individual carrying a crowbar.
Two days later, on June 14, police received a report that the same dog seized by St. Paul Park police had been taken from the animal hospital without authorization. The complaint states that the dog was removed by an unknown person without permission from the facility.
During the investigation, officers spoke with the registered owner of the dog. According to court documents, the owner told investigators that her brother, Thomsen, was a part owner of the animal and had attended the dangerous dog hearing with her.
Police subsequently reviewed surveillance footage from the animal hospital and identified the individual shown in the video as Thomsen, according to the complaint. Investigators allege he possessed a crowbar and entered the building without authorization.
The criminal complaint does not indicate whether the dog has been recovered.
Dakota County Judge Jamie Cork found probable cause to support the charge and signed an order of detention on June 17. Thomsen remained in custody pending further court proceedings.