Suspected burglar of The Gnome arrested after seperate alleged burglary attempt in St. Paul

St. Paul police said on Tuesday a suspect accused of two recent restaurant burglaries has been arrested and charged.

Jason Lionel Wayne Gatrell, 29, is suspected of breaking into The Gnome Craft Pub on Aug. 16 and attempting to break into The Lexington the following day.

The St. Paul man has been charged with:

Second-degree Burglary

First-degree damage to property

Second-degree attempted burglary

Using tear gas to immobilize another person

Fourth-degree assault of a peace officer

Attempted disarming of a peace officer

Charges stem from an incident Monday, according to court records, when St. Paul Police were called to The Lexington around 2:50 a.m., shortly after police arrived at a separate burglary less than two miles away.

Upon arriving, a St. Paul Police Officer allegedly heard breaking glass and rounded the corner to see two men in dark clothing and masks trying to pry open a door to the restaurant. After ordering both men to put their tools down, they fled in separate directions.

The officer chased one suspect, who investigators identified as Gatrell.

Gatrell allegedly ran through an alley and attempted to climb over a fence, but was unable to pull his body over due to being winded from running.

After the officer was able to pull Gatrell down, the officer ordered him to place his hands behind his back at taser point. When Gatrell turned over, he allegedly used pepper spray, hitting the right side of the officer’s face and burning his skin.

A scuffle then ensued, according to court records, as Gatrell allegedly tried to pry the taser out of the officer’s hands. At one point, the officer was able to grab the pepper spray, after which Gatrell reportedly kicked the officer in the face.

The officer maintained control of the taser away from Gatrell until more officers arrived and an arrest was made.

In addition to the attempted break-in at the Lexington, St. Paul Police have also accused Gatrell of burglarizing the Gnome Craft Pub.

Court records in a separate criminal case allege Gatrell was identified as one of two burglary suspects in the Gnome because his clothing reportedly matched what he wore during the attempted Lexington burglary.

A shoeprint taken during the investigation into the Gnome’s burglary allegedly matched the shoes Gatrell was wearing when he was arrested on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Video captures burglary at The Gnome in St. Paul; $1,300 reported stolen

Court records state he was previously convicted of criminal vehicular homicide.

He will appear in court for the first time on Wednesday.

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