Building a Case: SNPD Officers Ajavascript:tabClick(0, 'tab1');rrest Suspect in Lego Theft

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 15, 2026
Sun Prairie, WI – On 10/14/2026 at 3:43 PM, officers responded to a report of a retail theft at Walmart, located at 1905 McCoy Road. Officers had initially been alerted to the suspect’s vehicle through an Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) alert associated with prior retail thefts. While officers were in the area checking, Walmart called to report an active retail theft and advised that the suspect had fled on foot. Officers immediately responded and were in the area due to the ALPR alert and located the suspect. Officers engaged in a foot pursuit and apprehended the suspect in a nearby backyard. Officers took the suspect into custody. Once in custody, he resisted officers’ efforts to control him but was secured for his safety and transported to the Dane County Public Safety Building. In the investigation, Dean is suspected of retail thefts at multiple Walmart locations across Wisconsin and Illinois totaling over $18,000 worth of LEGO products. Investigators are currently following up to determine his level of involvement and working with other agencies for suspected crimes in their jurisdiction. Sun Prairie Officers recovered approximately $1,500 worth of LEGO products allegedly stolen. Dean also had a nationwide extraditable warrant stemming from two counts of Burglary and two counts of Theft.
 
Retail theft has lasting effects on businesses and SNPD is committed to deterring, stopping, and holding people who commit these thefts responsible for these crimes. As of October 5th, the department has received 137 retail theft reports from various businesses. One is too many, and we must work collectively to prevent these crimes from occurring.

All charges are recommendations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guiltyin a court of law.

Anyone with further information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Sun Prairie Police Department Non-Emergency Line at 608-837-7336, or anonymously at (608) 837-6300. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or submit an anonymous tip online.