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Brett John Dennis, 21, was referred to the Winona County Attorney’s Office on Tuesday for third-degree sale of narcotics. Dennis was charged Monday with motor vehicle theft and possession of stolen property after the theft of scrap brass and bronze from Behrens Manufacturing.
According to police, Dennis sold about 1.59 grams of cocaine to a police informant about 7:30 p.m. April 8, for about $160.
Police have also accused Dennis of breaking into Behrens Manufacturing at 471 W. Third St. and stealing a 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck, brass and bronze scrap metal, and money from vending machines.
Police reviewed video surveillance from local businesses that showed Dennis and Justin Allan Forhan, 20, empty the stolen truck of large tote bags at Dennis’ residence on the 200 block of East Third Street. The pair, along with another man and a woman, later transported the tote bags full of scrap metal to a processing plant in La Crosse, Wis., according to police.
In related news, police arrested Anthony James Brown, 18, on Monday in connection with the scrap metal theft. Brown, who lives in the same East Third Street residence as Dennis, admitted to prosecutors that he helped Forhan and Dennis bring scrap metal to La Crosse and also gave information about how the burglary was committed, Assistant County Attorney Nancy Bostrack said.
Brown was arrested approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday near Fourth and Lafayette streets. A subsequent search of the East Third Street apartment revealed several pieces of scrap metal with Behrens Manufacturing markings on them, along with a wooden box matching the description of one stolen from the business.
Brown was charged yesterday with felony possession of stolen property. He was released on his own recognizance with the condition he not contact the co-defendants. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 12.
