Lakeville Man Charged in Two Theft Cases

A Lakeville man is in Dakota County jail for two separate incidents related to theft.

Matthew Dyllon Danay, 18, was originally arrested and charged with possession of burglary and theft tools—a felony—and tampering with a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor. If convicted of the felony, he faces up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

While in custody, Danay was charged with felony theft in an incident that occurred prior to his arrest. He faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

Lakeville police officers arrested Danay on Dec. 9, 2013, according to the complaint. Officers arrived to a home on Ketchikan Court after receiving a report of a man walking between houses and across driveways.

• See: Lakeville Police Nab Burglar Following Tip

Police followed footprints in the snow, which led them to Danay, who fled from police on foot. Officer found him hiding under a bush. He had with him a flashlight, small folding knife, empty backpack and a window punch.

At the police station, Danay gave a Mirandized statement in which he admitted to carrying the window punch, to entering three cars and attempting to enter four other cars, according to the complaint. He told police that he had also opened three mailboxes and ripped up the mail he found in one of them. Danay said that he tried to enter residences through side garage doors, but they were locked.

In an earlier incident, police received a report on Dec. 1, 2013 that a bike worth $2,200 had been stolen from a vehicle overnight, according to the complaint. The vehicle was parked in the driveway of the bike owner’s residence. The bike owner called police again on Dec. 2 to tell them that he found his bike for sale on the internet.

An officer posed as a buyer and contacted the seller through the website. The officer met with the seller, observed the bike in the garage and arrested the man. Police confirmed through the serial numbers that the bike belonged to the man who had reported the theft.

The seller told police that he received the bicycle from Danay. He admitted that he believed the bike was stolen and worth at least $1,000.

On Dec. 9, Danay spoke with officers at the Dakota County Jail and admitted to stealing the bike and knowing that it would be sold.

Danay first appeared in court on Dec. 11. His next appearance is an omnibus hearing on Jan. 7 at Dakota County Court in Hastings. Bail is set at $20,000 without conditions and $10,000 with conditions.

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