Apple Valley Woman, Inver Grove Heights Man Charged After Alleged Package Theft Burglary at Eagan Apartment Building
Published: July 31, 2026
EAGAN, MINNESOTA: An Apple Valley woman and an Inver Grove Heights man are facing felony burglary charges after Eagan police say they were caught leaving an apartment complex moments after allegedly stealing multiple packages from inside the building.
According to criminal complaints filed in Dakota County District Court, Sarena Gail Loprete, 30, of Apple Valley, and Toriano Preston Tatum, 33, of Inver Grove Heights, have each been charged with one count of Third-Degree Burglary (Commit Theft or Felony or Gross Misdemeanor), a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.
As with all criminal cases, both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Burglary Reported in Progress
According to the statements of probable cause, Eagan police officers were dispatched on July 25, 2026, to an apartment building in the 1510 block of Thomas Lake Pointe Road after a tenant reported witnessing two masked individuals enter the building. The caller reportedly provided dispatchers with descriptions of both the suspects and the vehicle they arrived in.
Responding officers quickly located the suspect vehicle as it was leaving the area and conducted a traffic stop. Police identified Toriano Preston Tatum as the driver and Sarena Gail Loprete as the passenger.
Both Defendants Allegedly Admitted Taking Packages
Court documents state that after being advised of their Miranda rights, both Tatum and Loprete admitted to entering the apartment building and taking packages that did not belong to them.
Investigators also searched the vehicle and allegedly recovered multiple packages taken from the apartment building, according to the complaint.
Suspected Fentanyl Found During Arrest
In addition to the burglary allegations, investigators reported discovering suspected fentanyl on both defendants during the arrest process.
According to the complaints:
A small amount of a white powdery substance was allegedly found on Loprete during a search at the Dakota County Jail. A presumptive NIK field test indicated the substance tested positive for fentanyl.
A similar white powdery substance was allegedly recovered from Tatum during a search incident to his arrest, with a NIK test also reportedly indicating the presence of fentanyl.
Neither defendant was charged with a drug offense in the burglary complaints filed on July 28.
Bail and Release Conditions
Both defendants appeared before Dakota County District Court Judge Tracy Perzel.
Sarena Gail Loprete
The court established interim bail at $30,000 without conditions, or $20,000 with conditions. Court documents state that the prosecutors recommend bail of $40,000 without conditions or $30,000 with conditions.
Toriano Preston Tatum
Judge Perzel set interim bail at $15,000 without conditions, or $5,000 with conditions. Court documents similarly recommended$40,000 without conditions or $30,000 with conditions.
Prosecutors Cite Extensive Criminal Histories
Prosecutors noted that both defendants have significant criminal histories, which were specifically cited in court records as part of the bail recommendations.
Loprete's Criminal History
Court records show Loprete has accumulated numerous convictions in recent years, including offenses involving:
Multiple theft convictions.
Fifth-degree controlled substance possession.
Third-degree controlled substance possession.
Financial transaction card fraud.
Driving after revocation.
Many of the convictions date from 2024 through 2026, including multiple felony-level offenses.
Tatum's Criminal History
Court records indicate Tatum's criminal history extends back more than a decade and includes convictions for:
Multiple theft offenses.
Fifth-degree controlled substance possession.
Second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
Terroristic threats.
Domestic assault.
Driving while impaired.
Illegal possession of ammunition following a conviction for a crime of violence.
His record includes numerous felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions dating from 2015 through 2026.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Loprete and Tatum are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Pictured: Sarena Gail Loprete (left), Toriano Preston Tatum, Jr (right). Provided by Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
