SAINT PAUL, MN – A 37-year-old man has been charged with felony receiving stolen property after an investigation linked him to the theft, destruction, and attempted sale of a historic statue in Saint Paul.
According to Ramsey County authorities, Dustan Charles Schmitt allegedly stole the statue from the former Saint Paul Academy at 25 Dale Street sometime before February 7, when police received a report that it had been cut from its base using a saw or torch. The statue’s estimated replacement cost is $25,000.
🔎 Recycling Employees Uncover Crime
On February 11, employees at EMR, a metal recycling business on Barge Channel Road, contacted police after Schmitt attempted to sell pieces of the statue as scrap metal. The statue had been cut apart, but EMR staff recognized the stolen material and retained some fragments before Schmitt left in a black Jeep Liberty.
Investigators later determined that Schmitt had also attempted to sell another stolen statue—a bird sculpture reported missing from Unity Church in Saint Paul.
🚔 Search Warrant & Arrest
Authorities identified Schmitt as the suspect and obtained a search warrant for his residence on McLean Avenue. He was taken into custody, and during the search, officers found a propane tank with a blow torch in his vehicle, as well as multiple torch heads inside his home.
Police also recovered:
🔹 A Wells Fargo Financial card belonging to another person
🔹 A Minnesota identification card belonging to a separate individual
Schmitt claimed the cards belonged to friends.
🏆 Police Praise Recycling Center for Helping Solve Case
Saint Paul Police Chief Axel Henry credited EMR employees for their vigilance, noting their actions helped recover part of the stolen statue and prevent further metal thefts.
“We want to thank EMR for their vigilance and commitment to upholding the new state law requiring anyone selling scrap metal copper worth more than $25 to obtain a license. Their intuition helped us recover what’s left of this sentimental piece of Saint Paul history and likely prevented additional metal thefts,” Henry said.
🔍 Authorities Searching for More Statue Fragments
Police are continuing to search for the remaining pieces of the stolen statue. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 651-291-1111.
This remains a developing case, and further updates will follow.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News