'One-man crime wave' jailed

A Zumbrota man authorities say was responsible for a rash of rural Goodhue County thefts this summer was arrested Monday.

James Lohmann, 23, has been charged with three counts of theft, possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia and third-degree burglary.

"He was a like a one-man crime wave," said Goodhue County sheriff's Capt. Pat Thompson.

Lohmann, who appeared in court Tuesday, is being held in Goodhue County jail on $30,000 bail.

Thompson said Lohmann was arrested Monday on five warrants issued after months of investigation and intense surveillance.

"We know he was responsible for many, many theft-related crimes," Thompson said.

State court records show Lohmann has a long criminal history in southeastern Minnesota.

He has been convicted of several drug and theft-related crimes and has served jail time, according to court records.

Thompson said authorities began receiving tips this summer that Lohmann was involved in several copper and electrical wire thefts taking place at rural farms.

Lohmann admitted stealing several items from farms, including copper wire, electrical wire and a violin, according to criminal complaints filed Monday in Goodhue County District Court.

Lohmann traded some of the wire and the violin in for cash, the complaint states.

Armed with a warrant, authorities searched Lohmann's house last month and allegedly found him with a lightbulb fashioned into a device used to smoke meth.

If convicted on all charges, Lohmann faces a maximum sentence of at least 25 years in prison and a $51,300 fine.

His next court appearance is Nov. 20.

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