On Release, Saint Paul Man Charged in Copper Thefts, Fentanyl Possession
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A Saint Paul man is facing charges after police say he was caught stealing copper wire from streetlights while carrying burglary tools and fentanyl, all while on conditional release in another felony case.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident happened just after 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, on the 2100 block of Jessamine Avenue in Saint Paul.
Multiple callers reported someone pulling copper wire from the base of streetlights, noting that lights in the area were out. Callers said two people were involved and were last seen heading eastbound on Jessamine Avenue.
As officers moved into the area, one officer saw a person standing next to a streetlight. When the squad car approached, the person ran south toward nearby houses, then between two homes and into backyards. Officers pursued on foot and caught the person behind a shed.
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Police identified the suspect as Tee Peh, 24. Officers found multiple pairs of pliers, wire cutters and other burglary tools on him. Investigators also observed several nearby streetlights with covers removed and copper wire exposed and pulled out.
The person who initially reported the theft told officers he saw someone crouched by a streetlight appearing to remove wire, followed shortly by another male who was also taking wire from the lights.
While Peh was being booked into jail, officers found a small plastic baggie inside his wallet containing suspected narcotics. Presumptive testing later showed the substance was fentanyl with a net weight of 0.50 grams.
After being advised of his rights, Peh spoke with police about what he was doing in the area. According to the complaint, he said the person he was with told him he could make money by taking wire. Peh told officers he cut the wire but denied taking any with him. He said it was his first day doing it and that the plan was to steal wire and sell it at an unknown location. Peh told police he only knew the other person by a nickname and that they met through a mutual friend.
Peh is charged with felony possession of burglary or theft tools and felony fifth-degree drug possession involving fentanyl. The burglary tool charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison or a $5,000 fine. The drug charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison or a $10,000 fine.
Court records show Peh was already facing felony charges in Ramsey County from a separate incident about a month earlier, on Nov. 8. In that case, Saint Paul police were investigating a suspicious person report near Victoria Street and Hatch Avenue when they located Peh matching the suspect description. A witness told officers Peh had been looking into vehicle windows with a flashlight. Officers recovered a flashlight along with screwdrivers, wire cutters and wrenches from Peh’s pockets.
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They also found suspected narcotics that later tested positive for cocaine with a net weight of 0.34 grams. Peh was charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession and felony possession of burglary or theft tools and was granted conditional release at his first appearance on Nov. 12.
In addition to the two pending felony cases, Peh has multiple open theft-related cases in Ramsey County. Records show he is charged with gross misdemeanor theft and misdemeanor receiving stolen property stemming from an October 2024 incident in Roseville. In that case, police say a former girlfriend reported that Peh took about $600 in cash and a gold bracelet from her residence without permission. Investigators later learned the bracelet had been pawned at a Roseville Pawn America location. Police say Peh admitted taking the items and later threatened to pawn the bracelet if he was not paid money.
Peh also has a separate misdemeanor theft case filed in May 2025, accusing him of theft of movable property.
The Dec. 9 charges were filed while Peh was on conditional release in the earlier felony case involving drugs and burglary tools.
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