Burglars Break into Local Band’s House in Saint Paul

What is a criminal defense case for the suspects is a case of a Christmas Eve gone terrible for the victims. A local musician who is a part of a well known local rock band had his Saint Paul home and recording studio broken into over the evening of Christmas Eve. The musician lost $25,000 in electronic gear but more importantly he lost two albums that he had been recording for two different bands.

The holiday break-in occurred sometime between 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve and 12:30 a.m. Christmas Day and occurred near Lake Como in St. Paul. The burglary was discovered when the musician’s roommate came home and saw that the front door had been destroyed. The roommate walked into the house and discovered removed dressers draws, flipped mattresses and a laundry list of missing electronic goods. Among the electronics that were taken were a $2,500 synthesizer, speakers, a $1,500 microphone, three televisions, two computer monitors and two iPods.

Burglars also took two nearly finished albums that the musician and recording engineer had been working on for two different bands. The musician also had a recording studio in the home. Commenting on the albums, the musician said that he is able to remember the recorded music which could never be taken away by the burglars but said the loss of the recorded albums was devastating. One of the albums was of a local country rock band that the musician’s roommate is part of.

Police arrived at 2:00 a.m. and a report was filed. Police searched the home for physical evidence the next day and an analysis is being conducted on the evidence.

Source: Star Tribune, “St. Paul Rocker is Rocked by Recordings Lost in Break-in,” Randy Furst, 12/25/10

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

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