Four Charged After Alleged Burglary at South St. Paul Home; One Also Faces Drug Charge
Published: February 27, 2026
SOUTH ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA - Four individuals are facing felony burglary charges after allegedly breaking into a South St. Paul home while the homeowner was out of state and monitoring the property through surveillance cameras.
According to criminal complaints filed February 27, 2026, in Dakota County District Court, the following individuals have been charged:
Her Seng Moua, 42, of Brooklyn Park
Falemena Lin Vue, 39, of Maplewood
Chou Lee, 28, of St. Paul
Nhia Vang, 37, of Blaine
All four are charged with Second-Degree Burglary (Dwelling) under Minnesota Statute 609.582.2(a)(1), a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $20,000. Moua is also charged with Fifth-Degree Controlled Substance Crime (Felony Possession) after officers allegedly discovered pills that tested positive for MDMA in his pocket.
Suspicious Activity Reported Via Surveillance Cameras
According to the statements of probable cause, officers were dispatched around 4:05 p.m. on February 25, 2026, to a residence on 17th Avenue North in South St. Paul after the homeowner, who was reportedly out of state, observed suspicious activity on home surveillance cameras. The reporting party told authorities they saw a male wearing a surgical mask inside the fenced backyard of the home.
When officers arrived, they observed that the backyard gate appeared to have been kicked open. They also noted signs of forced entry at the residence's rear door. Police established a perimeter around the home. While doing so, four individuals exited the residence and fled on foot toward the north and east. Officers pursued and apprehended all four suspects.
Home Ransacked, Items Staged Near Exits
After securing the suspects, the homeowners granted officers permission to search the residence.
Investigators reported clear signs the home had been rummaged through:
Drawers and closets were opened
Items were strewn throughout the rooms
Numerous purses and bags were scattered across the bedroom bed
Fresh damage was observed at the entry door connecting the garage to the home
Authorities also discovered bags filled with items positioned near the side door and garage door, as if ready to be carried out. Homeowners confirmed the items had been moved and did not belong in those locations.
Evidence Found on Suspects
According to the complaints:
Chou Lee
Officers recovered:
Several pieces of gold jewelry
Black nitrile and latex gloves
An electronic cord
A key with a red rubber video game controller attachment
Two blank Wells Fargo checks belonging to the homeowner
Lee reportedly provided a Miranda statement to police. When asked why he entered the home, he allegedly stated:
“Obviously, I went in there to steal.”
He reportedly admitted he went into the house to steal “just whatever” he could find and said they fled because they were “doing something we shouldn’t do.”
In statements documented in the complaint, Lee reportedly claimed entry was made through an unlocked side door. However, officers observed fresh damage to the garage entry door, and the backyard gate appeared to have been forcibly kicked open.
Her Seng Moua
During a search incident to arrest, officers located:
A Fitbit box
Approximately $850 in cash
Glass pieces
Keys
A small plastic baggie containing approximately five pills
The pills were tested by the Dakota County Drug Task Force and allegedly tested positive for MDMA, a Schedule I controlled substance.
Moua declined to provide a statement to police.
Falemena Lin Vue
According to the complaint, Vue was found with items from the residence on his person. He declined to provide a statement.
Nhia Vang
Vang was reportedly wearing a surgical mask and black latex gloves at the time of arrest. Some property belonging to the homeowner was also found on his person. He declined to give a statement.
Court Sets Initial Bail
The court has set bail for Lin Vue and Lee at $50,000 without conditions and $0 with conditions. Both have been released from the Dakota County Jail. The bail for Moua was set at $100,000 without conditions and $70,000 with conditions, and Vang’s bail was set at $100,000 without conditions and $25,000 with conditions. As of this writing, neither has posted bail and remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail.
All four defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Written By: Will Wight
