Sheriff: Man, 31, Stole $5K In Soybeans From Grain Bin

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 31-year-old Elysian man was arrested April 10 and is accused of stealing $5,000 worth of soybeans from a grain bin in rural Waterville, according to the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office.

Daniel James Fleming was charged with felony theft and criminal damage to property in connection with the case. He's currently booked in the Le Sueur County Jail.

The Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office said that in December of 2014, it responded to a report of a theft in Kilkenny Township, which is in rural Waterville. Through an investigation, authorities determined that about 500 bushels of soybeans was stolen out of a grain bin. The site was used solely for storage and there was no residence on the property.

Authorities said Fleming mounted a makeshift drainage spout onto the storage bin and cut a hole inside the spout with a torch. That allowed the grain to flow into a truck that was parked below the spout.

About two weeks later, the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office said it received a report of same type of theft in the northeast area of that county.

Fleming's next court appearance is slated for May 5.