ICYMI: Baa-d Behavior! St. Paul Woman Accused of Stealing Sheep Near Mall of America
A sheep stolen, burrs as evidence, and an arrest near the Mall of America – you can’t make this “baa-zarre” Minnesota story up! 🌐 #News #BloomingtonMN #Minnesota #Crime
ST. PAUL, MN – Bloomington Police faced a truly “baa-zarre” case last week when they responded to reports of a woman allegedly rustling a sheep in the South Loop area, just a stone’s throw from the Mall of America. The sight of a leashed sheep, a dog, and a bunny in tow, all parading along city streets, had residents scratching their heads. But as Minnesota cops soon discovered, the story was woollier than it first appeared.
A Strange Sight in Bloomington
On October 9, a caller alerted Bloomington Police to an unusual scene: a man and woman walking a dog – and what looked suspiciously like a sheep – near the city’s South Loop. Officers quickly arrived and approached the pair, and as Police Chief Booker Hodges later recounted in a video, the woman initially insisted that the sheep was hers, claiming she had purchased it.
The Evidence That Didn’t Quite Add Up
But this wasn’t just any sheep – and her story didn’t quite match up. Chief Hodges explained that the woman, identified as 42-year-old St. Paul resident Mandy Kay Bower, had burrs all over her coat.
These burrs were identical to the ones found in the fields surrounding Kelley Farm, a 60-acre historic site near the Mall of America and the last remaining farmland in Bloomington. According to Hodges, Bower is believed to have “dragged the sheep out of the farm,” leaving a trail of evidence on her coat.
A Leashed Ram and a Close Call
The sheep in question turned out to be a ram, and officers noted that it was being led with a makeshift leash fashioned from a bag strap. This improvised tether was so tight it had injured the animal’s nose and nearly choked it.
Fortunately, animal welfare officers were able to intervene, and the ram is now reported to be in good condition.
Charges and Odd Company
Bower, now facing a charge of livestock theft, was not alone in her unusual parade. Along with the ram, she had a dog and a “bunny rabbit” in her possession, both of which were returned to her upon her release from jail. Kelley Farm employees confirmed the sheep belonged to them and that it had never been sold to Bower.
In the end, the case may leave Bloomington residents chuckling, but Chief Hodges has a final message: for everyone’s safety, leave the sheep-wrangling to the pros – no baaa-d ideas needed.
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