Crime & Safety

His Mom's Car Hid Tools Stolen from Fridley, Charges Say

Investigation continues into Columbia Heights resident's 'extensive pawn history,' according to police.

A Columbia Heights man faces a felony charge of receiving stolen property in relation to a commercial van break-in that Fridley police say happened on Glacier Lane NE between Nov. 29 and Dec. 1, 2012.

Police found tools belonging to Edison Electric when they searched Joshua Olaf Haugan's mother's car on Dec. 4, according to the criminal complaint. (Click on PDF thumbnail to read from the complaint.)

Fridley police had impounded the car in the course of a separate theft-from-vehicle investigation. They had arrested Haugan, 22, on Nov. 30 in relation to that case. Police had arrested earlier in the month as well, on Nov. 12, on suspicion of tampering with a vehicle.

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Fridley Police Lt. Mike Monsrud said by email Friday that the investigation into Haugan's "extensive pawn history" led them to pawn-shop records linked to four other cases of theft from vehicles in Fridley. Monsrud said a search of Haugan's vehicle and garage has led them to yet more items stolen in five other cities.

The recovered stolen property has a value "well in excess of $10,000," Monsrud said and the investigation is continuing. "Most of the stolen items were high end commercial grade construction tools."

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