West St. Paul Fitness Center Key-Fob Reader Ripped From Door, Charges Say
WEST SAINT PAUL: A man accused of ripping a key-fob reader from the entrance of a West St. Paul fitness center allegedly told police he damaged the equipment to “find city code violations” and show businesses “how corrupt they are,” according to a Dakota County criminal complaint.
Dennis Gerard Young, 37, is charged with felony first-degree criminal damage to property. The fitness center estimated the damage at $1,863.96, according to the complaint.
The charge stems from an incident on July 29, when West St. Paul police responded to a fitness center on Robert Street for a reported theft.
According to the probable cause statement, employees provided surveillance footage that allegedly showed a man forcibly removing the key-fob reader from the outside of the fitness center door, leaving wires dangling in its place. The man then allegedly attempted to remove the remaining wires but was unsuccessful.
Police later identified the man as Young through subsequent law enforcement contacts, according to the complaint.
The complaint states that police showed Young the surveillance footage and that he admitted he was the person depicted. Young allegedly told officers he damaged the property to “find city code violations” and to show the businesses “how corrupt they are.”
The fitness center provided an estimate of $1,863.96 to repair and replace the damaged key-fob reader.
Young is charged with first-degree criminal damage to property, a felony under Minnesota law.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaint are accusations. Young is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.