Dakota County Man Traded Meth for a Stolen Vehicle, Police Say

A Dakota County man found driving a stolen vehicle told investigators he traded it for a half-ounce of methamphetamine, according to Eagan police.

Shawn Michael Jennrich, 32, faces one felony count of possession of a controlled substance after police allegedly found .63 grams of methamphetamine in his possession. If convicted, Jennrich could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

An Eagan police officer arrested Jennrich on Jan. 20, after finding a stolen car parked outisde of an Eagan hotel, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County Attorney's Office. The officer conducted surveillance on the vehicle from another parking lot, and eventually saw a male later identified as Jennrich enter and exit the vehicle.

After taking Jennrich into custody, the officer allegedly located a small baggie of a substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine in his front pocket. The officer also found several gold and silver jewelry items, a gold watch and a pair of quartz bracelets, according to the criminal complaint.

During a search of the vehicle—which was reported stolen out of Duluth—police allegedly found clothing, jewelry, tooks, electronics, cell phones, two-way radios, bolt cutters, a pry bar, window punches and drug paraphernalia.

Eagan investigators then spoke with the Duluth Police Department, who informed Eagan police that the vehicle had been involved in "numerous" burglaries in Duluth and Detroit Lakes.

Police spoke with Jennrich, who allegedly told officers he traded a half-ounce of methamphetamine for the vehicle several weeks ago. Jennrich also admitted the methamphetamine was his, according to police.