Bayport Man Charged in Multi-Day Theft Spree Also Facing Serious Drug Charges in Separate Burnsville Case
BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA - A Bayport man has been officially charged with felony theft following several incidents at a store in Burnsville and is also facing serious drug trafficking charges stemming from a separate arrest in August 2024 in Burnsville, according to court records obtained from the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.
Ja’Juan Isaiah Thomas, 25, was charged Tuesday, June 3, 2025, with felony theft after allegedly stealing nearly $1,000 worth of tools across three days from a Home Depot in Burnsville. The three separate incidents occurred on May 29, May 30th, and June 1st. On June 1st, the criminal complaint states that the Burnsville Police responded to a theft in progress at a retail store. Loss-prevention staff provided a suspect description, and officers soon located Thomas hiding in a nearby bush. He was arrested at the scene. The total value of merchandise taken over the three incidents was $923, and police say pawn records confirmed Thomas had sold some of the stolen tools.
According to the complaint, Police say Thomas admitted to the thefts, stating he needed the money to support a fentanyl addiction. This drug use is tied to another case we covered back in August of 2024, Bayport, Minnesota Man Charged with Major Drug Offenses Following Arrest in Burnsville, Minnesota.
In that case, a criminal complaint from August 2024 states that Burnsville police officers encountered Thomas around 7:00 a.m. on August 3, 2024, near Portland Avenue and 143rd Street East after a report of suspicious activity. Officers observed Thomas sitting inside a vehicle with metal foil, a rolled dollar bill, powder on his lap, and a plastic bag protruding from his sweatshirt. When approached by police, Thomas allegedly resisted arrest and struggled with officers.
During the struggle, a bag containing pills reportedly fell to the ground. Officers also found $4,770 in cash on Thomas and later discovered he had attempted to flee custody by slipping out of a handcuff. He initially provided officers with a false name — Jacoby Chevell Dixon — further complicating the arrest.
A search of the vehicle turned up more pills. In total, police seized approximately 1,501 small, blue pills marked “M30”, a counterfeit label commonly associated with illicit fentanyl-laced oxycodone. Field testing confirmed the presence of fentanyl, a powerful and often deadly opioid.
Thomas was charged with two counts in connection with that incident:
First-Degree Controlled Substance Crime – Sale of 10+ grams or 40+ dosage units of heroin or fentanyl
First-Degree Controlled Substance Crime – Possession of 25+ grams or 100+ dosage units of heroin or fentanyl
Both charges are felonies under Minnesota law, each carrying a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.
Thomas was on felony probation when he committed the two drug-related felonies. He was once again granted a conditional release while undergoing the court process for these charges, as court records indicate that he was furloughed to a treatment center in September 2024. While on conditional release, Thomas then committed theft at the Home Depot. The Dakota County Attorney’s Office described his continued criminal behavior — including the thefts committed in late May and early June — as “concerning” and cited it as justification for a higher bail request of $50,000 without conditions and $30,000 with conditions.
Ultimately, Thomas was given a bail of $30,000 without conditions or $10,000 with supervision requirements by the court, including exclusion from the Burnsville Home Depot, random drug testing, and participation in a pretrial release program. His bail has not been posted, and he remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail as of writing this article.
This article provides an overview of the allegations against Thomas, detailing the charges, evidence, and potential legal outcomes. The community is reminded that charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further updates on this case will depend on the progress of the legal proceedings.
Provided by Dakota County Jail.
Written By: Will Wight
