Charges: Man Broke Leg During Pot Burglary
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 44-year-old St. Paul man has been summoned to appear in court after allegedly telling police that he sneaked into an apartment last year, stole bags of marijuana and broke his leg while trying to make his escape.
Keng Yang is charged with one count of second-degree burglary, according to documents filed in Ramsey County. His court date is set for March 18.
The charge stems from the early morning hours of April 9, 2014, when St. Paul police say they found Yang surrounded by garbage bags sitting on the sidewalk near the Home Video on Stillwater Avenue, a criminal complaint states. A 911 caller had reported to authorities that they saw a man jump from the rooftop and hurt himself.
When police approached Yang, he told them his leg was broken. When they asked how he fell off the roof, he allegedly pointed to bags and said, "I stole that." Inside the bags police found marijuana, the complaint states.
After being arrested and diagnosed with a broken femur, Yang told police in an interview that he used a ladder to get up to the apartment and entered through an open window. He said he targeted the apartment because his friend told him there were valuables in it. Aside from just marijuana, police also found $6,900 cash in the residence.
Yang said he fell when climbing down because someone yelled at him, which caused him to lose his balance. The complaint states that Yang admitted his actions were "dumb and crazy" but he was poor and needed money.
If convicted, Yang could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.