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Worker Charged With Pawning Employer's Equipment

ANOKA, Minn. (WCCO) -- An employee frustrated after the company he worked for delayed payment of wages is accused of pawning off the company's equipment.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Anoka County, 49-year-old Robert Laidly was working on a project for D.F.W. Roofing company last October.

When Laidly and other employees were told by their project foreman that their payment would be delayed be a few days, Laidly expressed frustration, the charges state.

Not long after, the foreman noticed a piece of equipment -- a robotic roofing welder worth almost $8,000 -- had gone missing from the equipment trailer.

Investigators said records show Laidly pawned the welder at a pawn shop in Anoka on Oct. 25 for $800.

Laidly told investigators that he and the foreman had planned to pawn the item and split the amount, but he was frustrated over not getting paid.

Laidly said he only wanted to pawn it for the amount of wages he was owed.

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