Caught on camera

In the late evening hours of Thursday, Jan. 26, a security camera at Route 281 in Sheyenne caught a man breaking into a storage container and rummaging through nearby vehicles.

According to court documents, the camera showed Clark Baker of Fort Totten grabbing a “metal bar” from a nearby junk pile and using it to break the lock on the storage container.

“The individual was then seen entering the storage unit, rummaging around, exiting the storage unit, and rummaging around several unlocked cars next to it, and then leaving the scene,” court documents state.

Baker is not believed to have stolen anything from the storage container or vehicles, which are owned by Route 281 owner, Jake Perleberg.

However, Baker is currently being investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs for a similar incident at a power substation, and also has a lengthy criminal record, which includes stealing catalytic converters, batteries and tools.

Dating back to 1998, Baker has racked up dozens of charges in North Dakota, ranging from theft of property and shoplifting to simple assault and drug possession.

Court documents allege that earlier on Jan. 26, Baker was reportedly seen by two local residents, Elvis Thumb and Clinton Haman, underneath a vehicle which “they knew he did not own and was located on property that did not belong to him.”

When Thumb and Haman confronted Baker, he entered his vehicle and left the scene. That same vehicle, a tan GMC Envoy with red doors, was seen on security camera footage when Baker allegedly broke into the storage container later that day, say court documents.

Baker has now been charged in Eddy County with burglary, a Class C felony, and a warrant for his arrest has been issued. That brings his total number of outstanding warrants to four, thanks to his more recent alleged escapades.

Lt. Jesse Anderson of the Eddy County Sheriff’s Department stated in an affidavit that he believes he knows what Baker was after in Sheyenne.

“Based on my knowledge, experience, and training, I believe Mr. Baker was attempting to steal a catalytic converter from the first vehicle and was looking for other items to steal in Mr. Perleberg’s storage unit and cars,” Anderson alleged.

Court dates, such as an initial appearance, won’t be scheduled until Baker’s warrant is served. He is considered innocent unless proven guilty.

In North Dakota, a Class C felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, a fine of $10,000, or both.