Man Charged After Fitzgerald Statue Stolen, Cut Into Pieces

Feb 15

A Saint Paul man has been charged in connection with the theft of a bronze F. Scott Fitzgerald statue after he tried to sell pieces to a scrap metal business.

Dustan Charles Schmitt, 37, is charged in Ramsey County with one felony count of receiving stolen property after investigation linked him to the destruction and attempted sale of the statue, which had stood outside the former Saint Paul Academy at 25 Dale Street.

Authorities say the statue was stolen sometime before Feb. 7, when a report was made that it had been cut from its base with a saw or torch. The estimated replacement cost is $25,000.

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According to the charges, employees at EMR, a metal recycling business on Barge Channel Road, contacted police on Feb. 11 after Schmitt allegedly attempted to sell pieces of the stolen statue. The statue had been cut apart, but staff at EMR were able to retain some of the fragments before Schmitt left the business in a black Jeep Liberty.

Investigators later determined Schmitt had also attempted to sell another stolen statue—a bird sculpture reported missing from Unity Church in Saint Paul.

Investigators identified Schmitt as the suspect and obtained a warrant to search his residence on McLean Avenue. He was taken into custody and during the search, officers found a green propane tank with a blow torch in his vehicle and multiple torch heads inside his home.

Police also found a Wells Fargo Financial card belonging to another person, as well as a Minnesota identification card belonging to a separate individual. Schmitt claimed the cards belonged to friends.

Saint Paul Police Chief Axel Henry praised EMR employees for their awareness, crediting their actions with aiding in the recovery of what remains of the statue:

"We want to thank EMR for their vigilance and commitment to upholding the new state law requiring anyone selling scrap metal copper worth more than $25 to obtain a license. Their intuition helped us recover what’s left of this sentimental piece of Saint Paul history and likely prevented additional metal thefts,” Henry said.

Authorities continue to search for the remaining fragments of the statue and anyone with information is asked to call 651-291-1111.