Tommy Donel Powell

On April 11, 2026, at 2304 hours, St. Paul police officers responded to 386 Wabasha, St. Paul, Ramsey County, on a report of a burglary. Security video captured two males inside the building. The building was under construction and vacant. Officers located Tommy Donel Powell, [DOB redacted], and Sumeng Vang, [DOB redacted], hiding together in a room inside the building. The building showed signs of forced entry with pry marks on a secured entrance. In a post-Miranda interview, Powell said they were homeless and looking for a place to sleep.

Video showed Powell walking around the building with a pry tool. Police located this tool under a table in the building. In a post-Miranda interview, Vang said that Powell brought him there to steal televisions. Security video captured Vang carrying a backpack. Police located this backpack. It was filled with various tools. Police located pliers and a screwdriver in Vang’s jacket pocket. Vang has no criminal history. Powell has prior convictions for Burglary in the First Degree, Burglary in the Second Degree, and Burglary in the Third Degree.