MOORHEAD, MN — Moorhead police say camera technology helped them identify and arrest a Staples man accused of stealing an American Legion trailer and burning items that were inside it.
According to court documents, 74-year-old Robert Andert was charged Monday with three felony theft counts and one felony count of criminal property damage.
Trailer reported missing from north Moorhead on Aug. 4
Police said the investigation started after a trailer belonging to the American Legion was reported stolen from north Moorhead on Aug. 4.
The trailer contained merchandise for the Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota and Minnesota. Court records say the goods were worth about $30,000, while the trailer itself was valued at roughly $7,500.
Video captured a pickup attaching the trailer early on Aug. 3
Investigators said theft video showed a red Chevrolet pickup parked next to the trailer around 2:45 a.m. on Aug. 3. A person got out of the truck, and the vehicle later drove off with the trailer attached.
Police said they worked with officers in Fargo and Detroit Lakes and used Flock license plate reader technology to develop leads on where the trailer went and who was involved.
Search warrant led officers to burn evidence in Staples
After identifying the vehicle and matching its license plate to Andert, a Moorhead detective obtained a search warrant for his vehicle and property in Staples, court documents show.
Investigators said they found a burn pile on Aug. 7 with evidence that merchandise from Honor Flight North Dakota had been burned.
Andert admitted to having the trailer and burning the merchandise
Police said Andert’s wife told investigators he had been at the property with a white trailer that he claimed to have bought online earlier that week.
Authorities said Andert later admitted he had the trailer and agreed to return it. He also admitted to burning the merchandise inside. Andert is being held in the Clay County Jail.
Moorhead Police Chief Chris Helmick said the case showed the value of regional cooperation and technology in recovering the trailer and making an arrest.
From the Twin Cities to the border and back, Travel Your Way keeps Minnesota informed.