The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports a Coon Rapids man was arrested on Guthrie County warrants June 16th, by the Woodward Police Department. Authorities say 29-year-old Shawn Knudsen faces charges that include six (6) counts of third degree Burglary, five (5) counts of Theft, five (5) counts of Criminal Trespass, and one charge of Ongoing Criminal Misconduct. An investigation into his alleged activities began on June 2nd, 2021, when the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stolen truck/trailer, and tools from rural Bayard.

The stolen truck was stopped by the West Des Moines Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office prior to it being reported stolen. Both agencies shared the driver’s information and bodycam footage with the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office.

Shawn Knudsen

The suspect, was identified as Knudsen was taken into custody, and subsequently admitted to stealing the truck, trailer, and tools. Authorities say he told the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office where the truck and trailer were located, and, with the help of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Des Moines Police Department, the truck and trailer were found and rightfully returned to the owner.

On June 12th, other parties in Bayard reported stolen or missing items from their garages that fit the date/time frame of the previous burglary. Surveillance footage from a Kum and Go in West Des Moines helped the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office identify Shawn Knudsen as the suspect. He later admitted to taking the items out of each person’s garage. On June 21st, another person came forward and said they had a dirt bike and generator stolen from rural Bayard that fit the date/time frame of the other burglaries/thefts. The dirt bike that was stolen matched the description of the dirt bike Knudsen was operating, when stopped by the Woodward Police Department. Upon further investigation, it was determined it was the same dirt bike, and once again Knudsen admitted to being in possession of stolen property.

There are subsequent investigations still being conducted where Shawn Knudsen is a person of interest. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reminds area residents to “Please remember to leave your garages closed, and your vehicles locked at night.”