Le Sueur Co. Sheriff: 2 People Of Interest Questioned In Relation To Stolen Church Bell

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Investigators in Le Sueur County have identified two men in connection with a theft of a historic church bell.

According to the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office, a church bell dating back to the early 1900s was stolen from St. Paul's Lutheran Church in German Lakes.

The bell was part of landscaping in the front entrance of the church.

Recently, police found portions of the bell from a scrap yard where they learned it had been sold.

According to the sheriff's office, 27-year-old Chad A. Anderson, of St. Peter, and 28-year old Leo J. Pete, of Kasota, are believed to be involved.

Investigators believe the two men stole the bell, cut it into small pieces and sold the pieces at a scrap yard.

Anderson and Pete were questioned by authorities but have since been released.

The Le Sueur County Sheriff said the matter was forwarded to the County Attorney's office for charges. Expected charges are theft and criminal damage to property.