Published: October 27, 2026.
EAGAN & OSSESO, MN: Two St. Paul men are facing multiple felony charges in Dakota and Hennepin counties after investigators linked them to a pair of Pokémon trading card store burglaries that resulted in more than $37,000 in stolen merchandise and thousands of dollars in property damage during the summer of 2026.
According to criminal complaints filed in both counties, Mitchell Teng Yang, 37, and Yeng Yang, 34, are accused of breaking into trading card businesses in Eagan and Osseo just seven days apart, stealing rare Pokémon cards and merchandise before fleeing the scenes.
The first burglary occurred during the early morning hours of June 27, 2026, at a store along Diffley Road in Eagan. Investigators say the suspects smashed a window with a rock, entered the business, and stole approximately $26,475 worth of rare Pokémon trading cards and card packs. A second burglary occurred on July 4, 2026, at a business in Osseo, where authorities allege the same two men stole another $11,230 worth of Pokémon cards and caused nearly $3,000 in damage. Combined, the two burglaries resulted in approximately $37,705 in reported stolen merchandise, with the total financial impact increasing to approximately $40,647 when documented property damage from the Osseo burglary is included.
Investigators say evidence connecting the two cases includes surveillance footage, cellphone location records, a vehicle registered to Mitchell Yang, identification by supervising corrections agents, and DNA recovered from a plastic bag left at the Eagan crime scene.
Both men have been charged in connection with the burglaries in Dakota and Hennepin counties.
Eagan Burglary: More Than $26,000 in Rare Pokémon Cards Stolen
According to separate criminal complaints filed in Dakota County against Mitchell Yang and Yeng Yang, Eagan police officers responded to a reported burglary at a business along Diffley Road at approximately 3:44 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The exact location was not provided.
The store owner provided investigators with surveillance footage showing two individuals approaching the business and breaking a window using a rock. The suspects then entered the building through the shattered window. Once inside, surveillance footage allegedly showed the two individuals running directly toward a display case containing high-value merchandise.
Investigators say the suspects broke into the display case and began placing several pieces of merchandise into white garbage bags. The stolen items included numerous rare Pokémon trading cards and card packs, which the business owner valued at $26,475.44.
After collecting the merchandise, both suspects fled through the same broken window they used to enter. The criminal complaints do not specify how long the suspects remained inside the store or whether they activated an alarm during the burglary.
Plastic Bag Left Behind Becomes Key DNA Evidence
While processing the Eagan burglary scene, investigators discovered a white plastic bag lying on the floor in front of the damaged display case. The bag sat on top of broken glass from the display case and appeared similar to the bags the suspects used to carry away the stolen merchandise.
According to the complaint, the store owner told investigators that the bag had not been inside the business before the burglary and did not belong there. Detectives also reviewed surveillance footage showing one of the suspects apparently dropping a bag near the display case during the theft. Believing one of the suspects may have handled the bag, investigators collected DNA samples from it and submitted them to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) for forensic analysis.
The BCA subsequently determined that the major male DNA profile recovered from the plastic bag matched Yeng Yang through Minnesota's Convicted Offender DNA Database. Prosecutors cited the DNA findings as significant evidence connecting Yeng Yang to the Eagan burglary.
Second Burglary Reported in Osseo One Week Later
While investigating the Eagan burglary, detectives learned of a similar incident involving another Pokémon trading card business in Osseo, located in Hennepin County. According to Hennepin County criminal complaints, officers responded to a burglary in progress on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at a business in the 8600 block of Jefferson Highway North. When officers arrived, they found the business's front glass door shattered. Inside, officers found additional damage to glass display counters. The suspects had already left the scene.
Investigators obtained surveillance footage showing a red Kia arriving outside the business. Two individuals exited the vehicle and approached the front entrance.
According to the complaint, one suspect threw an object at the glass front door, shattering it. Both suspects then opened the damaged door and entered the store. Interior surveillance footage allegedly showed the individuals quickly removing merchandise from the business before returning to the red Kia and leaving. Authorities determined that four boxes of Pokémon trading cards had been stolen.
The business reported the following losses:
Stolen Pokémon cards: $11,230.02
Damage to the front door and display cases: $2,941.39
Combined merchandise and property losses: $14,171.41
The criminal complaints state that neither suspect had permission to enter the business, remove the merchandise, or damage the property.
Surveillance Footage Captures Suspects' Clothing
Investigators documented the clothing both suspects wore during the Osseo burglary. According to the complaints, one suspect wore a black hooded sweatshirt, black face mask, light gray sweatpants, black shoes, and black gloves. The second suspect wore a black face mask, gray jacket, gray sweatpants, and black shoes.
Investigators later compared the surveillance footage with additional images obtained during the investigation.
Red Kia Sportage Helps Connect the Investigations
A major development occurred when law enforcement identified the vehicle allegedly used during the Osseo burglary. Investigators enhanced surveillance images of the red Kia and identified its Minnesota license plate. A registration check showed that the vehicle belonged to Mitchell Teng Yang. The Dakota County complaints describe the vehicle as a red Kia Sportage.
According to the Hennepin County complaints, law enforcement subsequently located and apprehended the vehicle and obtained a search warrant to examine its contents.
During the search, investigators recovered several documents connected to Mitchell Yang, including:
A Minnesota photo instruction permit bearing his name, found in the driver's door pocket.
An insurance card identifying him as the sole insured party for the Kia.
Additional mail addressed to him.
Prosecutors cited the registration information and documents recovered from the vehicle as evidence connecting Mitchell Yang to the Kia observed in surveillance footage.
Cellphone Records Place Device Near Both Businesses
Investigators also obtained search warrants for Mitchell Yang's cellphone records. According to the Dakota County criminal complaints, cellular analysis indicated that his phone was traveling toward the Eagan store shortly before the June 27th burglary and away from the area shortly afterward.
The Hennepin County complaints describe similar findings in the Osseo investigation. Investigators determined that the cellphone records were consistent with Mitchell Yang's device being near the Osseo business during the July 4th burglary.
The records also indicated that the device briefly stopped near a Holiday gas station at 1285 Cope Avenue East in Maplewood between approximately 4:17 a.m. and 4:25 a.m. on July 4th. Investigators obtained surveillance footage from the gas station, which allegedly showed two men in the parking lot with the same red Kia identified in the Osseo burglary.
According to the complaint, the driver was wearing a gray long-sleeved pullover-style shirt, lighter gray pants, and black shoes. Investigators believed the clothing matched what one of the suspects wore during the burglary.
The passenger was observed wearing a black baseball cap and gray sleeveless shirt while carrying a black-and-gray checkered shirt. Investigators also noted a visible neck tattoo on one of the individuals.
According to court documents, a Minnesota Department of Corrections photograph of Mitchell Yang showed a tattoo on the left side of his neck that read "Thug Life" in cursive. Authorities used surveillance footage and identifying characteristics to determine who was involved.
Corrections Agents Help Identify Both Suspects
The criminal complaints indicate that investigators contacted corrections officials who had previously supervised the two men. According to the Dakota County complaints, Mitchell Yang's parole officer reviewed surveillance footage from the Eagan burglary.
The officer told investigators that he believed one suspect was Mitchell Yang based on the individual's physical characteristics, body movements, and mannerisms. The officer also believed the second suspect was Yeng Yang, citing his physical characteristics, movements, mannerisms, and previous association with Mitchell Yang.
In the Hennepin County investigation, law enforcement also contacted Mitchell Yang's parole agent, who reportedly recognized one of the individuals in the surveillance footage based on his build, body type, and movements. Investigators circulated photographs obtained from the Maplewood gas station, which generated a tip identifying Yeng Yang as another suspect.
According to the Hennepin County complaint, Yeng Yang was under Ramsey County supervision at the time. His probation agent reviewed the photographs and positively identified him, prosecutors allege.
Together, the surveillance footage, corrections-agent identifications, vehicle evidence, cellphone records and DNA findings formed the basis of the criminal charges filed in the two counties.
Both Men Face Multiple Felony Charges in Two Counties
Mitchell Yang and Yeng Yang each face five felony counts stemming from the two burglaries, for a combined total of ten charges across the separate criminal cases.
Dakota County Charges — Eagan Burglary
Each defendant is charged with:
Count 1: Third-Degree Burglary — Felony
Under Minnesota Statute 609.582, subdivision 3(a), prosecutors allege that each defendant entered the business without consent and committed or intended to commit theft or another qualifying offense.
The charge carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
Count 2: Theft of Property Valued Over $5,000 — Felony
Under Minnesota Statute 609.52, prosecutors allege that each defendant participated in stealing merchandise valued at $26,475.44.
The charge carries a maximum potential sentence of ten years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.
Hennepin County Charges — Osseo Burglary
Each defendant faces three additional felony charges:
Count 1: Third-Degree Burglary — Felony
Prosecutors allege the defendants unlawfully entered the Osseo business with the intent to commit theft.
The maximum potential penalty is five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
Count 2: Theft — Felony
Both men are charged with theft under a statutory provision covering property valued at more than $1,000 but less than $5,000.
The charge carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
Notably, although the Hennepin County complaints allege that $11,230.02 worth of Pokémon cards was stolen, the theft count itself references the statutory value range of more than $1,000 but less than $5,000. The complaints do not explain that discrepancy.
Count 3: First-Degree Damage to Property — Felony
Prosecutors allege that the defendants intentionally damaged the store's property, resulting in repair or replacement costs exceeding $1,000.
The business reported $2,941.39 in damage to its front door and display cases.
The charge carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
The Hennepin County complaints also reference Minnesota's accomplice-liability statutes, allowing prosecutors to charge individuals accused of directly committing an offense or intentionally assisting another person in committing it. The maximum penalties listed for these offenses represent statutory limits, not sentences that have been imposed. Any sentence following a conviction would depend on applicable sentencing laws, criminal history, and other considerations.
Prosecutors Requested Arrest Warrants
In the Dakota County criminal complaints, prosecutors requested arrest warrants for both defendants. The complaints state that investigators did not know Mitchell Yang's or Yeng Yang's whereabouts when they prepared the documents.
Prosecutors cited the alleged continuing criminal conduct and the defendants' unknown locations as reasons for requesting warrants rather than relying on their voluntary appearances in court.
The Hennepin County complaints also stated that neither defendant was in custody when the complaints were prepared. Hennepin County Jail records show the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office arrested Mitchell Yang on August 24, 2026. It appears his conditional release was set at $20,000 with no conditions or $7,000 with conditions. Jail records show that Mitchell Yang remains in custody at Hennepin County Jail as of the writing of this article. Yeng Yang's whereabouts remain unknown.
Mitchell Yang Scheduled for January 2027 Jury Trial
An additional court document reviewed by Limitless Media News provides an update on the Hennepin County proceedings involving Mitchell Teng Yang. According to a Notice of Hearing and Judicial Assignment filed October 13, 2026, in Hennepin County District Court, Mitchell Yang has been scheduled for a jury trial.
The hearing is set for:
Date: Monday, January 11, 2027
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Hennepin County Government Center, Minneapolis
Presiding judge: District Court Judge Maximillia Utley
The notice advises defendants scheduled for trial to remain available throughout the trial week. The document also warns that failure to appear for a required court hearing could result in an arrest warrant.
The documents provided to Limitless Media News do not establish the next scheduled hearing dates for Yeng Yang or for the separate Dakota County proceedings.
More Than $40,000 in Combined Reported Losses
The two burglaries resulted in substantial losses for the affected trading card businesses.
The combined documented financial impact is $40,646.85, excluding any additional property damage, business interruption or other expenses not detailed in the criminal complaints.
Although both incidents involved Pokémon trading cards and similar methods of forced entry, the complaints do not establish whether any of the stolen merchandise has been recovered. They also do not identify any individuals who may have purchased or received the stolen cards after the burglaries.
The two incidents occurred only seven days apart, and prosecutors allege that the same defendants participated in both. The cases remain separate criminal proceedings in Dakota and Hennepin counties.
Mitchell Teng Yang and Yeng Yang are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The allegations described in the criminal complaints have not been established as facts through a criminal conviction.
Limitless Media News based this report on criminal complaints filed in Dakota and Hennepin counties and an October 13, 2026, Hennepin County District Court notice of hearing.
Pictured: Mitchell Teng Yang. Provided by Hennepin County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
