At around 1:15 AM on April 19, 2026, officers were sent to the area of [ADDRESS REDACTED], St. Paul, Ramsey County on two short statured men tampering with a streetlight near that address. Officers spoke to a neighbor who saw the two men by the light post that was no longer functioning. The two men walked away when the two men saw the neighbor. Officers examined the streetlight the neighbor pointed out. The access panel had been removed from the light pole and was on the ground next to it. White wires had been pulled from inside the light and cut in half exposing the copper wire inside.
Officers found over 2 dozen lights in the vicinity that were no longer functioning. Officers arrested PA KA [DOB REDACTED] who matched the description of one of the men tampering with the streetlight. Ka was less than a block away from the damaged light when he was arrested. Ka had a backpack that contained a large pair of wire cutters, a chisel, pliers, and 3 different sized screwdrivers. An eyeglass case contained a glass pipe for smoking drugs. Officers arrested GAY GAY [DOB REDACTED] a few blocks from [ADDRESS REDACTED]. Gay also matched the description of one of the men tampering with the streetlight.
Gay had a warrant for his arrest out of Hennepin County for criminal damage to property in the first degree and possession of burglary/theft tools. Gay stole wire from streetlights in St. Anthony in that case. Gay had a key ring in his possession that contained a cylinder that held suspected methamphetamine. Gay’s backpack held a small screwdriver. Ka was advised of his constitutional rights and agreed to speak to police. Ka said he had known Gay for less than a week. The two men went for a walk.
Ka initially denied they were involved in criminal activity, but he eventually admitted to watching Gay steal wire from streetlights. Ka wouldn’t say how many lights they had broken into or what they had done with the wire. The interpreter said Ka kept recanting his statement. When the interpreter tried to clarify, Ka completely changed what he said. Gay was advised of his constitutional rights and agreed to speak to police. Gay denied knowing Ka. Gay said he was just out for a walk. Gay then admitted Ka was a friend, and they were walking together.
Gay couldn’t explain why they split up. Gay denied he damaged streetlights. When told Ka told police Gay had stolen wire, Gay called Ka a liar. Gay refused to answer further questions and ranted about upcoming court dates. The contents of the cylinder recovered from Gay contained methamphetamine that weighed 2.59 grams. Gay committed these offenses while charged with energy or telecom damage or theft, criminal damage to property in the first degree and possession of burglary/theft tools in Ramsey County District Court file 62- CR-26-13. The court released Gay on his own recognizance despite the fact that he committed those charges while pending sentencing on similar matters.
