By Lori Ehde
A jury in Rock County District Court convicted Scott Wentler, 19, Luverne, of possession of stolen property and first-degree burglary.
Wentler stood trial Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 30 and 31, for crimes committed last December at Harvey's Trading Post, Luverne.
He and 48-year-old Oliver Crawford, Luverne, were arrested Dec. 21 on South Highway 75 near Taco John's after stolen guns were found in the trunk of Crawford's car.
Rock County Deputy Evan Verbrugge stopped the vehicle, driven by Crawford, for speeding 42 mph in a 30-mph speed zone. It was 1:15 a.m.
When Crawford consented to a search of the car, 22 handguns and a weapon described as an "Uzi" were found in the trunk. The items were later found to have been stolen from Harvey's Trading Post.
According to store owner Kevin Kramer, the stolen items are estimated to be worth nearly $15,000. Included in that figure is the Uzi, a semi-automatic rifle, which costs $1,300 to $1,400 by itself.
The guns were reportedly registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, but, Assistant County Attorney Terry Vajgrt said in December, “Stolen guns are not typically sold to people who run registration checks. They’re sold to people who want stolen guns, and they’re used to commit crimes.”
Entry was gained through a broken storefront window, and little damage was done inside, except to locks on display cases.
Kramer's security system reportedly had not been turned on at the time of the break-in, and it was coincidence that the Crawford vehicle was pulled over for speeding.
A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered, and Wentler will be held at the Nobles County Jail, Worthington, until sentencing.
According to the Rock County Attorney's Office, Wentler will serve at least three years in prison for the burglary conviction, per minumum sentencing guidelines under Minnesota Law.
“I'm extremely satisfied with the the verdicts reached by the jury,” Vajgrt said.
Crawford's trial is set for Dec. 4 and 5. He is charged with possession of stolen property, but the County Attorney's Office is reviewing records of the Wentler trial to determine if an added charge of “aiding and abetting burglary” can also be brought against him.
The case stalled this summer when the attorneys for Crawford and Wentler challenged the legality of the search. They argued that Crawford never consented to a search of his vehicle.
This argument was dismissed when the court ruled the state provided enough evidence to show Crawford consented to the search.
“It seems likely that Crawford took a calculated risk that the search of the vehicle by Verbrugge would not extend to the trunk,” Vajgrt said.