District Court, Kandiyohi County
Mark Thomas Harder, 32, Bird Island, was sentenced Wednesday for stealing antiques, household items, tools and fishing equipment from a Lake Lillian residence in July 2005.
The items belonged to a woman who was in a nursing home at the time.
According to the criminal complaint, on July 6, a caretaker noticed doors to the house and garage were broken and reported missing items from the residence, including furniture, silverware and antique items.
The caretaker also saw a toolbag in the house with Harder's name on it.
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Items that matched the items that were reported missing were discovered during a search of Harder's barn and home. A bottle of a prescription medicine with the woman's name was also found amongst the boxes of items.
When asked by authorities, Harder initially said his toolbag had been stolen in 2004. He also said an acquaintance had put the items his barn. The criminal complaint said authorities contacted Harder's wife by phone, who said her husband had bought the antiques at an auction.
Harder was charged with five counts, including burglary in the first and third degree, theft and criminal damage to property. He pleaded guilty to one count of burglary in the third degree. The other charges were dismissed.
Harder was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay fines and fees of $1,075. As a condition of a stay of imposition for five years, Harder must spend 120 days in jail in 40-day increments. The first 40 days must be completed on or before March 3. The second 40-day term must be completed within 12 months and the final 40-day segment must be fulfilled within 24 months.
If Harder is in full compliance with his probation, the court has the option of waiving the second and third jail terms. As part of his probation, Harder must not commit any felonies, gross-misdemeanors or misdemeanors, not use alcohol or illegal drugs, provide a DNA sample and write a letter of apology to the victim.
Theft
WILLMAR -- A report of possible employee theft at the Willmar Area Food Shelf, in the 400 block of Southwest Pacific Avenue, was made at 10:05 a.m. Thursday.
LAKE LILLIAN -- A report was filed at 7:47 a.m. Thursday of a burglary in the 15000 block of Southeast 165 Avenue.
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Cold runaways
DASSEL -- Six different law enforcement and emergency agencies, including a helicopter, were called out Wednesday to help find two runaway girls. The extra forces were used because of the single-digit temperatures and "fear of exposure," according to a press release from the Meeker County Sheriff's Department.
The girls, who are 11 and 13 years old, were located and returned to their residence in Dassel. They were not injured.
The Dassel Police Department, Fire Department, Rescue Squad, the Meeker County Sheriff's Department, Posse and Trooper 7 helicopter, all responded to the incident.
