Bemidji Man Charged in Salvage Yard Burglary
Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Hines man faces three charges after an alleged burglary at a Bemidji auto salvage business.
Thomas Michael Wilkinson, 42, has been charged in Beltrami County District Court. The charges include two felonies and one misdemeanor.
The allegations are listed in a criminal complaint filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District. Charges are accusations, and Wilkinson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Deputies Respond to Burglary Report
Deputies responded around 3:13 a.m. on July 17 to Aazzee’s Auto Salvage. The business is located on Sunnyside Drive Southeast in Bemidji.
The owner reported seeing a man inside the fenced property through surveillance video. The man was allegedly carrying five-gallon buckets.
The owner said the suspect moved toward a hole near the property’s fence. The opening was near the Bemidji Speedway.
Deputies found a Lincoln MKX parked near the speedway. A woman was inside the vehicle when law enforcement arrived.
Thomas Michael Wilkinson
Gasoline Found in Bucket
Deputies waited near the fence opening and contacted a man leaving the property.
The complaint identifies that man as Wilkinson.
Wilkinson allegedly carried a five-gallon bucket containing gasoline. He also wore dark clothing, a backpack, and low-light equipment.
Investigators reported finding tools, bags, mismatched license plates, and a homemade funnel near the Lincoln.
The woman denied involvement and was later released.
Investigators determined gasoline had allegedly been taken from a fuel tank inside the salvage building.
The Lincoln was sealed while authorities sought a search warrant. It was then taken to the Beltrami County impound lot.
Three Charges Filed
Wilkinson faces third-degree burglary under Minnesota Statute 609.582.
The felony carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
He also faces possession of burglary or theft tools. That charge carries up to three years in prison.
A misdemeanor trespassing charge was also filed. It carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail.
Case information may be available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch court records portal.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.