Chad Larson suspected in similar crimes in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa

A man who is allegedly connected to burglaries in Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota appeared in Mower County Court on Thursday.

Chad Michael Larson, 40, of Faribault was charged with felony second-degree burglary-possession of tools, felony third-degree burglary, felony theft, and felony first-degree criminal damage to property-value reduced over $1,000.

According to the court complaint, a Mower County Deputy responded to a burglary call at 7:54 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2016, at the Freeborn-Mower Coop gas station in Windom Township. A store employee said a burglar had entered through a door on the southeast side of the building and that an ATM and two safes had been forced open. The burglar had also damaged control boxes and cut wires for the store’s alarm system. Approximately $1,000 was missing from one safe, while $2,660 had been stolen from the ATM. Several packs of cigarettes were also stolen.

Damage to the safes and the ATM appeared consistent with a rotary grinder, according to the report. Approximately $2,300 in damage was done to the ATM, $2,000 worth of damage was done to the telephone and alarm system and $310 in damage was done to the safes. A flashlight, which the store manager said did not belong to the store, was found near the ATM.

A representative from Custom Alarm met with the detective on Nov. 9, 2016, to review the video surveillance. The video allegedly showed a white male wearing a bandana and goggles inside the building just before the power was disconnected.

The store manager called the detective on Nov. 16, 2016, and informed him that a wire cutter was found near the gas tanks, according to the report.

In April 2017, the detective learned that other law enforcement agencies were investigating similar burglaries, according to the report. He also learned that the Todd County Sheriff’s Office had arrested Larson as a suspect for similar burglaries. In a letter written to law enforcement while in Todd County Jail, Larson allegedly described his involvement in burglaries of businesses and ATMs. Detectives from agencies in Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota interviewed Larson about similar burglaries in their jurisdictions. In a 64-page transcript of the interviews, Larson allegedly confessed to the burglary at the Freeborn Mower Coop.

A review of Larson’s criminal history shows prior convictions for aggravated forgery, state lottery fraud-claiming a prize by fraud, drug possession, theft, and multiple counts of burglary.

Larson will appear in court again on March 15.