Minnesota
Police suspect the same Texans who lossoed an exterior ATM in Roseville targeted others in Minnesota
The four Texans charged with lassoing a Roseville bank’s ATM holding thousands of dollars in cash last month and yanking it free with a pickup truck are also suspected of similarly targeting three banks in Minnesota and two others in the Midwest, according to recently filed court records.
Roseville police said in a search warrant affidavit filed last week in Ramsey County District Court that they believe the men employed the same criminal tactic outside the Wings Financial Credit Union in Savage on Nov. 8, Minnwest Bank in Farmington on Nov. 19 and Mayo Credit Union in Rochester on Nov. 22.
The list in the filing, which asked for court permission to seize data from the men’s cellphones, also points to the four hitting a bank in Springfield, Mo., on Oct. 20 and Hiawatha National Bank north of Milwaukee in Trenton on Nov. 20.
Roseville police say the FBI is looking into their ultimately failed heist because it bears a striking resemblance to crimes committed elsewhere in the U.S. by the “Hook and Chain Gang” based out of Texas.
“Since 2020, ATMs throughout the United States have been accessed or damaged by persons operating with the same modus operandi,” the affidavit read. “Persons from TX, using stolen-heavy duty trucks, and utilizing a hook and chain, have attempt to or successfully gained access to over 50 ATMs.”
Charged in connection with theft and property damage in the Roseville case on Dec. 12 are Houstonians Christopher E. Merchant, 23; Larry D. Gill, 23; Kenneth D. Brown, 23; and Leonard D. Williams, 25. All were released from custody after posting bail and have court hearings in the coming weeks. A fifth suspect was charged but had his case dismissed due to what the County Attorney’s Office described as lack of probable cause.
Descriptions of the crimes from police in Savage, Farmington and Rochester on Tuesday were nearly identical: A drive-up ATM was attached to a chain connected to a pickup and pulled from its foundation in the middle of the night. In each instance, the ATMs were located nearby, and the perpetrators eluded capture.
In the Roseville case, bank video surveillance captured Merchant taking a crowbar to the ATM containing $5,000 outside the Great Southern Bank near County Road B2 and N. Fairview Avenue about 4 a.m. before he and Williams connected it to chains attached to the nearly 3-ton pickup, the charges read.
Gill joined in trying to lift the ATM, but it fell over and never left bank property, the charges continued.
Minnesota
So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities
So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities
One museum in the Maplewood Mall brings a part of Hollywood glamour to the Twin Cities.
William Swift is the owner and curator of Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum.
“I own the largest display of film costumes in North America, which is crazy,” Swift said.
There are more than 350 costumes and props on display from over 90 films and TV shows.
“I have stuff from Narnia, the Power Rangers, and have quite an extensive collection from Game of Thrones,” Swift said. “It’s just so cool and so fun to share with people such a grand collection. We never get anything like this in Minnesota or even really in the Midwest.”
Years ago, Swift, a longtime film buff, started collecting screen-used movie memorabilia in auctions. In 2024, he opened the museum with his massive collection.
“Eventually I ran out of room in my house, and I thought maybe it was time to take that leap of faith,” Swift said.
Minnesota
MyPillow’s Mike Lindell announces he’s running for Minnesota governor as a Republican
MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell has announced he will run for Minnesota governor in 2026 against incumbent Gov. Tim Walz.
Lindell, 64, last week filed the paperwork to potentially run, but at the time said he hadn’t yet 100% decided on a gubernatorial run. On Thursday, he made it official.
“After prayerful consideration and hearing from so many of you across our great state, I’ve made the decision to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race,” Lindell posted on social media Thursday. “I’m still standing and I’ll stand for you.”
Lindell will run as a Republican and a noted ally of President Trump, and enters a crowded field of names who have already tossed their hats into the ring, as Walz, a Democrat, attempts to secure an unprecedented third consecutive four-year term as Minnesota’s governor.
“We’ve seen what happens when we elect a con man to the highest office in America,” Walz said Thursday, responding to Lindell’s announcement. “We can’t let it happen here in Minnesota.”
In addition to Lindell, state House Republican speaker Lisa Demuth has already announced a run for governor, as well as Scott Jensen, the Republican candidate who lost to Walz in the 2022 midterms. Other Republican hopefuls include Minnesota Rep. Kristin Robbins, Kendall Qualls and defense lawyer Chris Madel.
Lindell launched a campaign website, listing his main campaign priorities as including stopping fraud, fixing “failing school systems,” stopping “exploding property taxes” and “send(ing) illegal immigrants back.”
Lindell’s MyPillow has been at the center of a number of legal issues through the years, and earlier this year was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to shipping company DHL.
Also, a judge this year ruled that Lindell defamed election technology company Smartmatic after he alleged their voting machines rigged the 2020 presidential election in favor of former President Joe Biden. Lindell made similar unfounded claims against Dominion Voting Systems.
Minnesota has a history of political outsiders overperforming in statewide races, most notably former Gov. Jesse Ventura’s surprising win in 1998, but also it’s been two decades since a Republican won a statewide race in the increasingly blue-tilting state.
Minnesota
Minnesota leaders criticize Gov. Tim Walz over alleged fraud scheme oversight | Fox News Video
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