EDINA, Minn. — They say there's no place like home, where comfort and safety is guaranteed in most cases. But that safe space for an Edina couple was tarnished in October of 2021.
When asked if the trauma was still very real just over a year later, the couple, who requested their identities be concealed, responded, "yes, very much so."
"I rarely look out the back window without wondering if someone's going to be coming down the hill into our backyard," said the husband.
Edina police say the couple's Indian Hills home was one of several burglarized by 26-year-old David Petrashov of Maple Grove. He pled guilty in August.
As part of a plea deal with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, Petrashov was found guilty for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, second-degree drug possession, first-degree burglary and second-degree burglary. Petrashov received a 95-month prison sentence.
He's had more than a dozen felony convictions dating back to 2015.
When the couple was asked if they were home during the burglary, the husband replied, "we weren't, didn't set the alarm, bad day to play the odds."
Edina police say Petrashov was linked to 28 burglaries in Edina, Bloomington, Burnsville, Eagan, Greenfield, Rockford, Lakeville, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Minneapolis, Plymouth, Prior Lake, Savage, Credit River Township and Shakopee.
Police say they got a break in the case during a traffic stop in Edina involving his accomplice.
"Because she had so much of our things in her possession, they were able to tie her to him," said the wife.
A case which has left the couple rethinking their idea of safety, installing multiple security cameras.
"We monitor them all the time," said the wife.
As police encourage others to do the same.
"Case-building takes time, and having video evidence is key to building a lot of cases," said Emily Jepson, a Community Engagement Officer with the Edina Police Department.
"Have always felt very safe here, probably part of why I didn't set the alarm when I left that day," said the husband. "I'd definitely use your security system and get some cameras."
Between October and December 2021, Edina Police Detective Joel Moore investigated a series of residential burglaries in Edina and networked with other law enforcement agencies. A pattern developed that connected burglaries from multiple jurisdictions.
Moore thanks the Bloomington Police and the Minnetonka Police for assisting on the apprehension of Petrashov.
Moore believes Petrashov cased many of these homes prior to burglarizing them and recommends homeowners obtain home surveillance cameras.
“With how inexpensive this technology is now, I would recommend all homeowners buy a home surveillance system,” said Moore. “Homeowners can get a motion-activated alert to their cellular phone. Not only can this deter some burglars, but it might give homeowners some peace of mind while they are away from their residence. Homeowners have called the Edina Police after seeing people come up to their door who they don’t recognize.”
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