FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Authorities say they have linked a North Dakota man arrested in a large theft of tools to nine other crimes in Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota.

Twenty-seven-year-old Brandon Bailey of Fargo was arrested last week for allegedly breaking into a trailer in that city and stealing $7,000 worth of tools. After his arrest, police obtained warrants to search several sites in Fargo, including a home and an enclosed trailer.

Lt. Joel Vettel says the value of items Bailey is accused of stealing in cases as far as Bozeman, Mont., is now estimated at more than $42,000. Vettel says authorities are still working to match the items that include a motorcycle and an all-terrain vehicle with their rightful owners.

A telephone listing for Bailey could not immediately be found.

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