Your Complainant is an Officer with the Owatonna Police Department. Investigation has revealed that on March 8th, 2026, at approximately 6:43AM, Officers received a call for service regarding a trespass/theft at Wenger Cooperation, [ADDRESS REDACTED] Northwest, Owatonna, MN, County of Steele. A previous call for the same vehicle was made on March 7th, 2026, at approximately 8:44PM. Dispatch stated the following: Reporting party believes it is the same guy from last evening, black Chevy, was just there to grab scrap metal and leave, black crew cab truck, no tail gate with a red cooler.
It should be noted Wenger Corporation has no trespassing signs near the dumpsters. As dispatch was giving the description out of the suspects' vehicle, Officer Metcalf remembered a similar vehicle parked at Double Tree by Hilton 2365 43rd Street North, Owatonna, MN. Officer Metcalf observed this vehicle with a red cooler and no tailgate from a prior community policing the night prior parked in the parking lot. Officer Metcalf got onto Interstate 35 Northbound to go check the hotel. As Officer Metcalf was on the interstate, he observed a vehicle coming onto Interstate 35 Northbound from 26th Street Northwest.
Officer Metcalf got behind the vehicle and observed it had no tail gate and a red cooler in the back. Officer Metcalf observed that this vehicle had miscellaneous items in the back and scrap metal consistent with what Wenger has in the dumpsters. Officer Metcalf observed the MN registration to be LIC/YNG2147. Officer Metcalf initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle at Interstate 35 Northbound mile marker 44. Officer Metcalf made a passenger side approach to the vehicle and observed again in the back end, metal consistent to what Wenger Cooperation has in their dumpsters.
Officer Metcalf made contact with the driver who was identified by MN BCA as Nicholas James Laabs [DOB REDACTED]. As Officer Metcalf was searching Laabs he located a meth pipe in his pocket. It should be noted, Officer Metcalf reviewed dash camera footage and at minute 2:30 you can see Laabs toss the plastic baggie under his truck. This baggie was later weighed and tested, it weighed 3.8 grams and tested presumptive positive for meth. Laabs had two minor [NAME REDACTED]. Officer Metcalf observed Laabs driving status to be revoked.
Officer Metcalf obtained the following Mirandized statement from Laabs, "the stuff up in the corner (when asked what items he took from Wenger). I must have missed them (when asked about the no trespassing signs). I will bring it back (when informed he was out there earlier in the night doing the same thing). The same dumpster (when asked where he took the first stuff)." PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 609.49 intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.
