A 37-year-old Minneapolis man faces criminal charges after allegedly breaking into Party World in Baxter and stealing several items.
Jerry Wayne Gray Jr. was charged Nov. 3 in Crow Wing County District Court with felony third-degree burglary and two misdemeanors of property damage and tampering with a vehicle.
According to the criminal complaint filed against Gray, Baxter police responded at 8 a.m. Oct. 31 to a report of a burglary in progress at Party World. An employee described someone wearing a black hat and black sweatshirt who exited the business and stopped near the swampy area north of the store.
An officer tracked the suspicious person and located him near the southwest corner of Party World. The officer held the man later identified as Gray at gunpoint. Officers did a weapons search and arrested Gray. The officer located two $20 counterfeit bills, keys, a Master lock, two carabiners and a pink iPhone. The officer also removed several new D-rings from Gray and several more D-rings were located in the swamp near where Gray was located. An air rifle was also located near Gray. All the items were stolen from inside Party World, the court document stated.
Several vehicles were also reportedly entered outside the business. The steering column on one of the vehicles was damaged as if someone tried to hotwire it. A garage door opener was taken from inside the vehicle and found attached to Gray’s shirt collar.
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Gray was released on his own recognizance and must follow several conditions including keeping all future court appearances. His next court hearing is scheduled Dec. 9.
