Suspect in Attempted Eagan Copper Theft Arrested in Ramsey County

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A St. Paul man who pleaded guilty to taking part in an attempted copper theft from a Dakota Electric substation in 2009 was arrested Wednesday after he failed to appear for a sentencing hearing earlier this year.  

Brad Jules Krekelberg, 34, pleaded guilty in January to his part in a botched robbery that left 7,000 Eagan residents in the dark. 

Krekelberg and two accomplices were initially charged with three felonies: damage or theft to energy transmission or telecommunications equipment, first-degree damage to property and possession of burglary tools. 

Krekelberg pleaded guilty in January to the lesser charge, possession of burglary tools, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

A judge set Krekelberg’s sentencing hearing for April 17, but when he didn’t show up, authorities issued a warrant for his arrest. It was the second warrant issued for Krekelberg in the case; the first warrant went out in July 2011 when he failed to make his initial court appearance.

Krekelberg was arrested Wednesday by Ramsey County authorities and was being held in the Dakota County Jail. He is scheduled to make a first appearance today in Dakota County District Court in Hastings.

Carver County authorities had also issued a warrant for driving with a revoked license for Krekelberg, whose extensive criminal record includes convictions for burglary, receiving stolen property, check forgery and drug possession.