Michael Vang

On December 19, 2025 at approximately 12:38 A.M., Officers were dispatched to Winslow Avenue and Prospect Boulevard, Saint Paul, County of Ramsey, on a group of males who were stealing wire from city light poles. Officer Leonard responded and upon arrival, saw a light pole at Winslow Avenue and Prospect Boulevard that had the access panel open and wire coming out from the panel. Officer Leonard observed multiple light poles on the south side of Prospect Boulevard that were tampered with and had wire exposed and cut.

During the investigation, Officer Leonard followed fresh footprints in the snow that led to [ADDRESS REDACTED]. In the driveway, there were three large bundles of wire-a bundle of red wire, a bundle of wire with multiple strands of red, black, green, and white wires twisted together with Saint Paul Public Works printed on the wire, and another bundle with yellow and black wire. Pliers with blue painter’s tape wrapped around the handle was located with the bundle of yellow and black wire. Officer Leonard observed that footprints in the snow went from the wire to behind the garage at [ADDRESS REDACTED], stopped, and picked up again to the sidewalk.

The footprints continued on the sidewalk to the area where a Honda CR-V was located at [ADDRESS REDACTED]. An officer knocked on the driver’s seat window of the Honda CR-V and asked for the window to be rolled down. The front passenger was seated in the floor and the two rear passengers were crouched down. The vehicle was occupied by the following males. TEE PEH, [DOB REDACTED] (driver’s seat) LAY MOO KU, [DOB REDACTED] DEE HAI LER, [DOB REDACTED] (rear seat passenger) MICHAEL VANG, [DOB REDACTED] LER did not follow officer’s commands and tried to crawl into the open trunk area.

The occupants were removed from the vehicle. Officers observed a clear glass smoking pipe with a large amount of residue and several pieces of tinfoil with burnt residue inside the vehicle near the glove box. The vehicle was searched. In the front area of the vehicle, officers found multiple wire cutters, a hacksaw, and several screwdrivers. Several feet of cut wire was found under the center console. In the trunk, several large spools of cut wire were found. A silver Smith & Wesson.38 caliber Special revolver was found in the trunk.

The cylinder had two spent.38 caliber casings. The caller, NA, said she was walking her dog when she saw a male wearing dark, baggy, winter gear tampering with a light pole. She went home and called police. She saw others-also wearing dark, baggy winter gear-join the male. Shortly before officers arrived, she saw the group walk west on Prospect Boulevard toward Bidwell Street. KU declined an interview. After a Miranda advisory, LER spoke to an officer. He said earlier in the evening, he was picked up by the driver of the vehicle at an apartment building near the intersection of McLean Avenue and English Street.

LER said the driver transported him and two other individuals to the area where he was arrested. He remained inside the vehicle while the other individuals exited the car and walked away. He fell asleep and was awakened when the driver returned to the vehicle and told him police officers were in the area. Shortly after, the two other individuals returned to the vehicle. LER denied any involvement in the wire theft. During a search of LER, Officer Hall located a live round of ammunition (357 round) inside LER’s right 3 62-CR-26-1647 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 3/11/2026 jacket pocket.