Man Arrested for Stealing Musical Instruments May Have Lived in Eagan

St. Paul police have arrested two people in a string of musical instrument thefts from colleges in St. Paul.

Michael Joseph Lippert, 33, and Nicole Marie Korolchuk, 29, were arrested in Richfield during a traffic stop, according to the Pioneer Press.

The two are accused of stealing instruments from the University of St. Thomas, Hamline University, Macalester College and St. Catherine University. Lippert admitted to stealing the instruments with Korolchuk and another man, according to the complaint.

Lippert and Korolchuk are each charged with theft of property valued at more than $1,000.

After stealing the instruments, police say that Lippert pawned the items at pawn shops. St. Paul police spokesman Sgt. Paul Paulos told the Pioneer Press that "Lippert has pawned more than 100 items this year, including instruments, jewelry, electronics and power tools."

Lippert told police he did not know that all the items he pawned were stolen, the complaint states. He pawned the items because he was the only one in the group who had identification. Lippert also admitted to police that the group stole to support their drug habits.

Police say that the couple is also involved in stealing from open houses around the Twin Cities. Lippert admitted to stealing jewelry from open houses, according to the complaint. Korolchuk was charged with stealing electronics and controlled substances earlier this month.

Neither Lippert nor Korolchuk appear to have a permanent address, but Lippert has previously used Eagan as his address, police told the Pioneer Press.

If convicted the two could be sentenced to up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.