VADNAIS HEIGHTS, Minn. — A 30-year-old man was charged after prosecutors say he caused "well over" $150,000 worth of damages when he drove an ATV through Tousley Motorsports in Vadnais Heights on Christmas morning.
Austin Michael Erickson is charged with property damage, burglary and theft of a motor vehicle after court documents say he was captured on security cameras stealing an ATV, crashing it through glass garage doors, knocking over merchandise and breaking an exterior gate while fleeing the scene.
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office reports deputies were alerted to the burglary on Dec. 25 when a security alarm went off at 6:22 a.m. When they arrived, Erickson was still on the scene. Officials say Erickson was arrested after he jumped off the ATV and ran toward a wooded area. He was wearing the same clothing as the person in the security footage, according to the criminal complaint.
Court documents say Erickson admitted to walking to Tousley Motorsports and climbing the fence. He said he met a friend who remained outside the store "scouting and watching." According to the criminal complaint, Erickson said he used a trailer hitch ball to break the glass to get inside the building. He then said his friend talked him into committing the burglary and thefts.
Sales consultant Jon Osowski told KARE 11's Kiya Edwards that adjustors are estimating about $500,000 worth of damages. The store, a family-run business in its 52nd year, is temporarily closed while employees clean up the property.
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