Becker County: Detroit Lakes Teen Charged in Soccer Field Vandalism
BECKER COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — An 18-year-old Detroit Lakes man is facing a felony charge after authorities say he caused nearly $2,500 in damage to city property at a local soccer field.
According to Becker County District Court records, Alexander James Elijah Dehoff, 18, of Detroit Lakes, has been charged with felony first-degree damage to property following an incident on July 8. Police were called to the Rotary Soccer Field after reports that several items had been spray-painted.
A groundskeeper told police he left the field for about 15 minutes and returned to find white spray paint covering a paint robot sensor used to line the soccer field. Officers found additional paint on the soccer net and portions of the field.
A witness reported seeing a white Chevrolet Impala pull into the parking lot, and three juvenile males were observed exiting the vehicle. They allegedly spray-painted the soccer net, field, and robot. The witness described one of the suspects as wearing a red-and-black poncho.
Police later located the vehicle and performed a traffic stop, finding four males and two females inside. Dehoff was wearing a poncho that matched the witness description. During questioning, a juvenile admitted that three males had spray-painted the field and that Dehoff used the white spray paint.
The total damage to the paint robot was estimated at $2,498.70. Dehoff’s first court appearance is set for November 6 before District Court Judge Michelle W. Lawson.
Vandalism of public property is a serious offense under Minnesota law and can lead to fines, restitution, and possible jail time. The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides additional information about property damage laws and penalties.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
