The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect who allegedly was involved in a series of thefts in Bayard.

According to the sheriff’s office, 29-year-old Shawn Knudsen of Coon Rapids was arrested and charged with a Class B Felony for ongoing criminal conduct, six Class D Felonies for third degree burglary, five simple misdemeanors for fifth degree theft and five simple misdemeanors for criminal trespass. 

The charges stem from a series of incidents that started on June 2nd with the report of a stolen truck and trailer. The West Des Moines Police Department and Warren County Sheriff’s Office stopped the vehicle prior to it being reported stolen. Bodycam footage and Knudsen’s driver information was shared, where the suspect was identified. Knudsen was then arrested on June 16th by the Woodward Police Department. He admitted to stealing the truck, trailer and tools, which the truck and trailer were then recovered and given back to the owner, via help from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Des Moines Police Department.

The next incident was reported on June 12th, where Knudsen stole other items from garages in the Bayard area that matched the time and date of the previous burglary. Surveillance video from a West Des Moines Kum and Go led to the positive identification of the suspect, which Knudsen also admitted to stealing the items.

Finally, on June 21st, another Bayard victim reported a stolen dirt bike and generator. The description of the suspect that stole the dirt bike matched Knudsen when he was stopped by the Woodward Police Department. Knudsen also admitted to taking the dirt bike. 

Knudsen was booked into the Guthrie County Jail and remains a person of interest in several other subsequent investigations with the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office.

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.