Repeat Offender Facing New Felony Theft Charge in Eagan; Complaint Alleges Walmart Shoplifting While Already on Probation
Published: July 31, 2026
EAGAN, MINNESOTA: A Buffalo man previously convicted in Dakota County of stealing more than $7,000 worth of trading cards from an Apple Valley Target is now facing another felony theft charge after prosecutors say he stole nearly $750 worth of computer hard drives from an Eagan store.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, Justin Allen Ackerman, 31, of Buffalo, has been charged with one count of felony theft involving property valued between $500 and $1,000 with a prior qualifying conviction. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.
Alleged Theft at Eagan retailer
According to the complaint, Eagan police responded to Walmart around 8 p.m. on June 19, 2026, after receiving a report of a shoplifting incident. A store asset protection employee told officers she observed a man in the electronics department place three computer hard drives into a shopping cart before walking to the men's apparel section. Investigators say surveillance video showed the suspect concealing all three hard drives inside his jacket before leaving the store without paying.
The employee attempted to stop the man outside the store, but prosecutors allege he fled on foot across the parking lot before getting into a mid-2000s Dodge Charger. Before the vehicle left, the employee was able to photograph it, including its license plate.
The stolen hard drives were valued at approximately $747.
Officers reviewed the store's surveillance footage and confirmed the sequence of events described by the employee, according to the complaint.
Identified Through Vehicle and KOPS Alert
Police obtained clear surveillance images of the suspect and issued a KOPS alert for both the vehicle and the individual. On July 5, 2026, investigators received two independent responses from members of the West Hennepin Safety Department, both identifying the suspect as Justin Allen Ackerman.
The investigating officer then compared known photographs of Ackerman with the surveillance footage and concluded they depicted the same individual, according to court documents.
Prior Felony Theft Elevates New Charge
The complaint states Ackerman has a prior felony theft conviction stemming from an August 10, 2025 incident in Apple Valley, which is a story that Limitless Media News had also previously done a story on, Man Accused of Stealing Over $7,000 in Trading Cards From Target.
In that case, prosecutors alleged Ackerman filled a shopping cart with approximately $7,280 worth of trading cards before leaving the business without paying. When confronted by officers in a nearby parking lot, Ackerman allegedly responded, "liquidation," before attempting to flee on foot.
Ackerman was convicted of felony theft and sentenced on October 29, 2025, in that case. Court records show the district court imposed a stay of imposition, placed him on three years of supervised probation, sentenced him to three days in the Dakota County Jail with credit for time served, and ordered him to remain law-abiding and comply with standard probation conditions. Successful completion of probation would allow the conviction to be reduced to a misdemeanor.
Because of that prior qualifying conviction within the past five years, the June 2026 alleged theft was charged as a felony under Minnesota law despite the property's value being less than $1,000.
Prior Fleeing Case Also Reported by Limitless Media News
This is not the first time Ackerman has appeared in Dakota County court this year. As also previously reported by Limitless Media News, Ackerman was also charged following a March 2026 incident in Eagan in which authorities alleged he fled from officers attempting to conduct a traffic stop near Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road.
According to that complaint, Ackerman allegedly accelerated away from police through a transit center parking lot before abandoning the vehicle near a snowbank and fleeing on foot. Officers ultimately located and arrested him near I-35E without further incident.
During that arrest, investigators alleged Ackerman volunteered that he had active warrants and told officers he had dropped a plastic baggie while running. Officers recovered an open baggie but were unable to locate its contents because of the snow.
No injuries were reported during that incident.
As with all criminal cases, the allegations against Ackerman remain accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. In that case, he had received a $15,000 bail with no conditions, or a release of $0. It appears he was then released to Scott County for a separate hold.
Already Facing Other Legal Issues
The complaint also notes Ackerman currently has an active felony warrant in Hennepin County and was being held in Scott County at the time the Dakota County complaint was filed. We are working to gather more information on his other outstanding legal issues in Hennepin and Scott Counties.
Prosecutors further noted Ackerman allegedly has several pending felony cases throughout the Twin Cities metro, including cases involving theft, drug offenses and fleeing police.
Bail and Release Conditions
The Dakota County Attorney's Office requested bail be set at $30,000 without conditions, or $15,000 with conditions. His next court appearance is set for August 4, 2026, at 9 AM.
Pictured: Justin Allen Ackerman. Provided by Dakota County Jail (left, April 2026) and Scott County Jail (right, June 2026).
Written by: Will Wight
