On 12/26/25 at approximately 1000hrs, the Woodbury Police Department [WBPD] was informed of a delayed theft complaint at Universal Services located at [ADDRESS REDACTED], Woodbury MN, in Washington County. WBPD then contacted CHT, an employee for Universal Services. CHT informed WBPD that three work vehicles had multiple items stolen from them on the night of 12/24/25. CHT stated that the property security camera shows on 12/23/25 at approximately 2130 hours, a white older model sedan which black rims entering the property—later identified through FLOCK camera and records as a 2008 white Saturn Aura with license plate MN: NZT616, registered to DEFENDANT, CHARLES PRESCOTT VADNAIS [DOB REDACTED]—through the open gate on the east side of the building.
Security footage shows a male suspect exited the front passenger seat wearing a green/yellow reflective vest. This suspect then enters three work vehicles, a 2020 Ford Transit, a 2014 Chevrolet EXPRESS G3500, and a 2014 Chevrolet EXPRESS G3500. The work vehicles were parked and unlocked along the east fence. Security footage shows the suspect vehicle leave the parking area at approximately 2141 hours and return on the property at approximately 0029 hours. The vehicle then moved to the same area it was previously at when the first theft occurred and a male wearing a reflective jacket is observed entering the victim [NAME REDACTED] from them, placing items into the suspect vehicle.
The footage ends at approximately 0036 hours while the suspect/suspect vehicle are still on scene. The total value of all tools stolen is estimated to be over $10,000.00. Through a Mobile Data Computer [MDC] search of VADNAIS'S vehicle registration on the white 2008 Saturn Aura, it was found that there was an active Keeping Our People Safe [KOPS] alert on it out of White Bear Lake, MN to pickup/hold VADNAIS for probable cause vehicle theft. On 12/30/25 WBPD contacted White Bear Lake PD [WBLPD] regarding their active KOPS on VADNAIS. WBPD then learned that VADNAIS and another unidentified male were involved in an auto theft in White Bear Lake that was captured on camera.
In this incident, VADNAIS was observed exiting the driver's seat of a white Saturn sedan with similar identifying features of the 2008 white Saturn Aura and getting into the victim's vehicle then driving away. Another individual then drove the Saturn sedan away from the scene. On 12/31/25 WBPD Officers learned that the KOPS alert was no longer active on the vehicle and WBLPD had arrested VADNAIS at his residence in White Bear Lake that morning. WBLPD then executed a search warrant for VADNAIS'S residence and vehicle.
WBLPD advised that there was a yellow reflective vest found in VADNAIS'S residence, along with several work tools, some of which were Dewalt; matching the brand of some of the stolen tools in question. WBLPD also advised there is a documented history of VADNAIS driving the vehicle registered to him. WBPD requested cell phone location data for VADNAIS via warrant. The cell phone data analysis showed that during the time of the theft on 12/24/26 at 2135 hours the phone in question was in the immediate area of [ADDRESS REDACTED].
