A Minneapolis man has been charged with possession of burglary tools used to steal catalytic converters in a July 28 incident in Eden Prairie.

Dustin Raymond Sellman, 51, was arrested by Eden Prairie police near the intersection of Valley View Road and Washington Ave. S. shortly after 2 a.m. after admitting to police that he had removed 10 catalytic converters from vehicles nearby.

According to the criminal complaint:

An officer was patrolling the area because of a high volume of recent catalytic converter and trailer thefts. He was aware that the businesses were all closed and did not have overnight cleaning crews or other workers on site early in the morning.

As the officer approached, Sellman began walking away. The officer ordered him back and questioned why he was in the area. The officer observed, in plain view, saw blades and power tools consistent with those used to cut off catalytic converters. He acknowledged to the officer that he looks for converters “from time to time.”

The officer determined that Sellman had open warrants from Hennepin and Anoka counties, placed him under arrest and searched his car. There the officer found a small plastic container with a substance inside that was later determined to be 0.17 grams of methamphetamine.

The trunk of Sellman’s car contained 10 catalytic converters that appeared to be freshly cut. Sellman then showed the officer six of the 10 vehicles from which he had removed converters.

Sellman told police that he was using the catalytic converters to help pay for a trip to Arizona to visit his girlfriend.

Sellman has been summoned to appear in Hennepin County District Court. He was not in custody as of Aug. 15. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of three years and/or a $5,000 fine.

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