{"id":39632,"date":"2026-07-27T14:12:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T19:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/?p=39632"},"modified":"2026-07-23T18:48:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T23:48:49","slug":"bemidji-man-charged-in-salvage-yard-burglary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/bemidji-man-charged-in-salvage-yard-burglary\/","title":{"rendered":"Bemidji Man Charged in Salvage Yard Burglary"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Bemidji Man Charged in Salvage Yard Burglary<\/h2>\n

Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me<\/a>)<\/strong> \u2014 A Hines man faces three charges after an alleged burglary at a Bemidji auto salvage business.<\/p>\n

Thomas Michael Wilkinson, 42, has been charged in Beltrami County District Court. The charges include two felonies and one misdemeanor.<\/p>\n

The allegations are listed in a criminal complaint filed in Minnesota\u2019s Ninth Judicial District. Charges are accusations, and Wilkinson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.<\/p>\n

Deputies Respond to Burglary Report<\/h2>\n

Deputies responded around 3:13 a.m. on July 17 to Aazzee\u2019s Auto Salvage. The business is located on Sunnyside Drive Southeast in Bemidji.<\/p>\n

The owner reported seeing a man inside the fenced property through surveillance video. The man was allegedly carrying five-gallon buckets.<\/p>\n

The owner said the suspect moved toward a hole near the property\u2019s fence. The opening was near the Bemidji Speedway.<\/p>\n

Deputies found a Lincoln MKX parked near the speedway. A woman was inside the vehicle when law enforcement arrived.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"ThomasThomas Michael Wilkinson<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Gasoline Found in Bucket<\/h2>\n

Deputies waited near the fence opening and contacted a man leaving the property.<\/p>\n

The complaint identifies that man as Wilkinson.<\/p>\n

Wilkinson allegedly carried a five-gallon bucket containing gasoline. He also wore dark clothing, a backpack, and low-light equipment.<\/p>\n

Investigators reported finding tools, bags, mismatched license plates, and a homemade funnel near the Lincoln.<\/p>\n

The woman denied involvement and was later released.<\/p>\n

Investigators determined gasoline had allegedly been taken from a fuel tank inside the salvage building.<\/p>\n

The Lincoln was sealed while authorities sought a search warrant. It was then taken to the Beltrami County impound lot.<\/p>\n

Three Charges Filed<\/h2>\n

Wilkinson faces third-degree burglary under\u00a0Minnesota Statute 609.582<\/a>.
\nThe felony carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.<\/p>\n

He also faces possession of burglary or theft tools. That charge carries up to three years in prison.<\/p>\n

A misdemeanor trespassing charge was also filed. It carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail.<\/p>\n

Case information may be available through the\u00a0Minnesota Judicial Branch court records portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/p>\n