Byron man charged with assault, theft after allegedly stealing 75 gallons of gasoline
Oct. 18—WABASHA, Minn. — A Byron man is facing charges after he was caught stealing $250 worth of gasoline from a Wabasha man's fuel tanks, according to new charges filed on Oct. 17.
Brandyn Wade Wolf, 24, is charged with a felony count of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and a misdemeanor count of theft.
According to the criminal complaint, Wabasha County Sheriff's deputies responded to a Lake City residence after 8 p.m. Oct. 12 for an active theft offense involving a man who was stealing gasoline and who pulled a knife on one person.
When deputies arrived, they saw multiple vehicles at the scene with two farm tractors blocking a black Ford pickup truck in the road, the complaint said. The defendant, later identified as Wolf, was changing a tire while engaging in an argument with the individuals who reported him to police.
Wolf told police he was trying to change his tire when he was attacked by the people who reported him. The deputy proceeded to pat Wolf down but did not find any weapons.
Deputies then spoke to the reporting party, who said Wolf pulled up to the fuel barrels on their property and filled up multiple gas cans. According to the reporting party, fuel from the tanks had been stolen on Oct. 10, so the reporting party set up a camera near the tanks. On Oct. 12, the camera activated and alerted the reporting party's son, who said there was a black Ford pickup at the tanks.
According to the complaint, the reporting party went out and discovered Wolf next to the fuel tanks. As he confronted Wolf about stealing the fuel, a witness blocked his truck in with a grader. Wolf tried to leave, but the reporting party grabbed him with both hands.
Wolf pushed the reporting party back and then grabbed a knife from the inside of his truck's door. The reporting party "backed off," the complaint said.
A deputy looked at photographs from the camera, which showed a man who matched the description of Wolf parked next to the fuel barrels and filling tanks in the back of his truck. The reporting party said near the tanks, there were cut zip ties and a yellow bottle used to cover the nozzle.
Near the truck's gas cap, the deputy said it looked as though fuel had recently run down the side of the truck. According to the complaint, the deputy also noted an odor of gasoline coming from the back of the truck. The reporting party told deputies the last time he checked the 300-gallon tank, it was full.
"Reporting party approximates 75 gallons were stolen," which is approximately $250, the complaint said.
Wolf is scheduled to make his first appearance in Wabasha County District Court at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 30.
