Published: October 21, 2026
BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA: A 24-year-old Prior Lake man is facing a felony attempted robbery charge after allegedly demanding money from a Burnsville gas station employee while positioning his hand inside his jacket to make it appear as though he was armed with a firearm.
Beich Domach Wal, 24, was charged Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in Dakota County District Court with one count of felony attempted simple robbery following an October 16 incident at Gasco, located at 12020 County Road 11 in Burnsville. According to the criminal complaint, Wal repeatedly demanded money from a female employee while keeping his hand positioned in a way that led her to believe he had a gun. The employee refused to comply, and Wal eventually left the business without obtaining any money.
Although no injuries were reported and no property was taken, prosecutors described the alleged conduct as a serious public safety concern, particularly because Wal is already facing charges in two separate Dakota County criminal cases dating back to 2023 and 2025. Those pending cases include allegations of residential burglary, property damage, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, threats of violence, and domestic assault. Prosecutors also noted that both earlier cases have been delayed by proceedings involving Wal's competency to stand trial.
Gas Station Employee Feared Suspect Was Armed
According to the statement of probable cause, officers with the Burnsville Police Department responded to a reported robbery at the County Road 11 gas station on October 16th. The employee told investigators that she was working inside the store when a man, later identified as Wal, entered and positioned himself along the side of the counter.
The complaint alleges that Wal kept one hand inside his jacket pocket, extending it outward into a pointed shape that caused the employee to believe he was concealing a firearm. Wal allegedly began demanding that the employee give him money. Rather than complying, the employee began yelling that other people were inside the store. She also instructed Wal to move to the front of the counter, apparently to prevent him from accessing the area behind the register.
According to investigators, Wal then placed both hands on the counter and continued pointing them toward the employee in a manner she interpreted as threatening. The complaint states that Wal repeatedly told the employee, "Give me money." The employee again began yelling that other people were inside the business, at which point Wal allegedly abandoned the attempted robbery and left the store.
The employee later told police she was frightened during the encounter because she believed Wal had a firearm and feared he could seriously injure or kill her. The criminal complaint does not indicate that investigators recovered a firearm or confirmed that Wal possessed one during the incident.
Suspect Gives Police Different Account of Encounter
Following the incident, law enforcement issued a KOPS alert seeking Wal's arrest. Police later located him and took him into custody. During an interview conducted after investigators advised him of his Miranda rights, Wal acknowledged visiting the gas station but disputed the employee's account.
According to the complaint, Wal told investigators he had entered the business simply to obtain a phone charger. He further claimed that the employee had directed a racial slur toward him and that he fled because she was recording him. However, the interviewing officer reported that Wal's description of the encounter was inconsistent with security footage the employee provided to investigators.
The complaint does not provide additional details about the surveillance footage or indicate whether Wal made any further statements.
Prosecutors Request Up to $40,000 Bail, Cite Pending Criminal Cases
In a bail request filed October 20th, the Dakota County Attorney's Office asked the court to establish bail at $40,000 without conditions or $30,000 with conditions. Prosecutors acknowledged that no one was physically injured and no property was stolen during the alleged attempted robbery. However, the state argued that Wal's alleged actions raised substantial public safety concerns, particularly given his two other pending criminal matters.
"The State believes significant bail is appropriate in this case because, while no one was injured and no property taken during the alleged incident, the fact that Defendant allegedly engaged in the behavior described in the complaint raises serious public safety concerns," prosecutors wrote.
The filing specifically referenced two unresolved Dakota County cases, including one involving the alleged use of a weapon. Under the state's proposed conditional release terms, Wal would be prohibited from contacting the gas station employee or returning to Gasco. Additional proposed conditions include restrictions on possessing firearms, ammunition, explosives, or dangerous weapons; surrendering any weapons; remaining in Minnesota without written court approval; and participating in a pretrial release program if eligible. Prosecutors also requested that Wal take all medications as prescribed.
In a conditional release document filed following the first appearance held this afternoon, Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the judge set the conditional release at $30,000 without conditions and $20,000 with conditions. The next court appearance is set for November 19, 2026, at 1:30 PM. As of the writing of this story, court or jail records do not show bail has been posted and Wal remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail.
Earlier Burglary Case Involved Vacant Burnsville Home
One of Wal's pending criminal cases stems from a series of incidents involving an unoccupied Burnsville residence in May 2023. In that case, prosecutors charged Wal with felony third-degree burglary and gross misdemeanor third-degree criminal damage to property.
According to the criminal complaint, Burnsville police initially responded to the residence on May 27, 2023, after a woman responsible for the property discovered evidence of a possible break-in. The home was vacant and listed for sale.
The woman reported discovering damage to the front door and door frame, along with several unusual conditions inside the residence. Investigators documented earbuds left in an upstairs closet, water surrounding an upstairs shower that appeared to have been used, and a short, curly black hair in a bathroom sink. Officers also reported detecting a chemical odor on the upper floor that they believed was consistent with possible narcotics use.
Later that afternoon, police returned to the residence after a report that a man had been seen climbing out of a garbage can in the garage before fleeing. The suspect was described as having an average build and shoulder-length dreadlocks. Over the following days, police received additional reports of suspicious activity at the property.
On May 29, officers responded after a witness reported seeing a man attempting to break into the same residence. An officer subsequently located a man matching the reported description, but the individual fled on foot. Another officer later encountered Wal in the area. According to the complaint, Wal denied breaking into homes or attempting to kick down a door and was initially released.
Afterward, neighbors contacted police and reported that Wal was the individual they had observed near the residence. One neighbor also provided a photograph of the fleeing suspect, which an officer who had previously spoken with Wal identified as depicting him. The woman responsible for the property estimated that replacing the damaged front door and frame could cost approximately $2,500, although an insurance estimate had not yet been completed.
In requesting a warrant, prosecutors cited repeated attempts to enter the residence, neighborhood safety concerns, and uncertainty about Wal's whereabouts at the time. The burglary and property damage charges remain separate from the newly filed attempted robbery allegation.
2025 Case Includes Allegations of Knife Threats and Domestic Assault
Wal is also facing multiple criminal charges stemming from a February 24, 2025, incident at a residence on Portland Avenue South in Burnsville. In that case, prosecutors charged him with felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, felony threats of violence, and three misdemeanor counts of domestic assault.
According to the criminal complaint, Burnsville police responded to a weapons-related call at approximately 7:50 p.m. after receiving information that Wal had been armed with a small black kitchen knife and had fled the residence. A woman living at the home told investigators she had been sleeping on a couch when she awoke to hear Wal asking where a knife was located. The woman explained that another household member regularly hid knives because Wal was not trusted to have access to them.
According to the complaint, Wal eventually located a knife and began yelling at the woman while making repeated stabbing motions toward her. Investigators allege that Wal raised the knife near his head, continued making stabbing gestures, and threatened to kill the woman.
"I'll kill you bitch, this shit is not a game, I'll slice you up, you're in the house with a real murderer," Wal allegedly told her.
The complaint states that Wal then went upstairs while holding the knife before returning and continuing to make threats. At another point, the woman reported that Wal told her, "I'll kill you, y'all are in the house with a serial killer." The woman and another resident subsequently attempted to retreat to their rooms.
While downstairs retrieving a blanket, Wal allegedly made another threatening statement.
"I just want to kill you both, I'm trying so hard not to throw this knife at you," he allegedly said.
The two residents returned upstairs, where they reportedly heard Wal make another statement suggesting that someone would fall onto his knife.
The allegations resulted in multiple criminal charges, including second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, which carries a potential sentence of up to seven years under the penalty provisions cited in the complaint. The provided court documents do not establish that Wal was convicted of any of the offenses alleged in the 2025 case.
Earlier Cases Delayed by Competency Proceedings
Beyond the allegations themselves, prosecutors highlighted Wal's ongoing involvement in Minnesota's Rule 20 process, which addresses questions concerning a criminal defendant's competency to participate in court proceedings and, in some circumstances, mental illness or cognitive impairment defenses. Under Minnesota criminal procedure, competency proceedings can determine whether a defendant understands the legal process and can meaningfully participate in their defense. When a defendant is found incompetent to proceed, criminal proceedings may be suspended until competency is restored.
In the October 20 bail filing, prosecutors stated that Wal had been involved in the Rule 20 process for a significant period in both of his earlier Dakota County cases. The state further reported concerns regarding his compliance with prescribed medications.
"Defendant has been in the Rule 20 process for a significant period of time in both cases and Defendant's medication compliance has been an issue," prosecutors wrote.
The state cited those circumstances to justify requesting medication compliance as a condition of release in the new attempted robbery case. The documents provided do not specify Wal's current competency determination, identify any medical diagnosis, or establish the precise procedural status of either earlier case.
Competency proceedings address a defendant's ability to participate in the judicial process and do not, by themselves, determine whether the defendant committed the alleged offenses.
New Felony Charge Carries Potential Prison Sentence
Wal's newest charge, attempted simple robbery, is a felony under Minnesota Statutes 609.24 and 609.17. The charge alleges that Wal attempted to take property from another person through the use or threatened imminent use of force. Because the alleged robbery was not completed, prosecutors charged Wal with attempted robbery rather than a completed robbery offense.
The criminal complaint identifies a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The Dakota County Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.
All charges against Wal are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Written by: Will Wight
