Le Sueur County man allegedly steals thousands of dollars in soybeans

A man was arrested last week for committing what Le Sueur County authorities call a "unique" crime — he stole about $5,000 in soybeans.

Daniel James Fleming, 31, allegedly stole the soybeans from a private farmer's off-site storage bin in Kilkenny, which is about 30 minutes west of Fairbault.

Authorities said they believe the Elysian, Minn., man drove a grain truck to the storage site and bolted a makeshift drainage spout to the storage bin. He cut a hole in the spout and let about 500 bushels of soybeans drain into the truck parked below, they added.

Le Sueur County Sheriff David Tietz said that despite the fact the beans might have been more vulnerable since they weren't next to a residence, they don't go missing every day, even in his rural county.

"You see all kinds of thefts but this one is certainly kind of unique," he said.

About two weeks after the soybeans went missing, the Blue Earth County Sheriff's office received a report of a similar crime in the northeastern part of the county. That crime, combined with other leads, drew them to Fleming, who was arrested Friday.

Unfortunately for the farmer, Tietz said the soybeans had already been sold.

Fleming was charged with damage to property and a felony count of theft, according to a news release from the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office. He is expected to appear in Le Sueur County Court on May 5.

Anne Millerbernd is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.

Anne Millerbernd • 651-308-7126