DULUTH, MN — A Lake Nebagamon man has been charged for allegedly stealing three vehicles, including one from Bentleyville, and breaking into a Duluth church.
Riley Gibson-Bunnell, 24, appeared in court Friday.
Duluth police say Gibson-Bunnell allegedly stole a side-by-side on December 2. Officials tried to stop him near 18th Avenue West and Superior Street on December 4, however they say he drove away.
On December 5, police say a truck was stolen from Duluth Tire and Oil, and according to police, Gibson-Bunnell, who matched the description of the person who stole the truck, was later stopped in the downtown area of Duluth.
Police say he gave a false name and tried to run away, but he was eventually arrested.
According to officials, during an interview with police, he confessed to both vehicle thefts, as well as to burglarizing the Duluth Gospel Tabernacle Church on November 16.
In addition, police say they were also called to a vehicle theft on December 18, and Hermantown police eventually found the vehicle on Stebner Road.
Police then tried to stop the driver as the vehicle slid into a ditch, but the driver, who was later identified by police as Gibson-Bunnell, ran away and into a home, where he was arrested.
As of Friday afternoon, it’s unclear why Gibson-Bunnel was not incarcerated at the time of the vehicle theft in Hermantown.
Court records show Gibson-Bunnell has been charged with the following:
- 2nd degree burglary
- Felony theft burglary
- Two counts of motor vehicle theft
- Possession/Receiving a stolen motor vehicle
- Two counts of fleeing police in a motor vehicle
- Two counts of fleeing police on foot
- Obstructing legal process
- False name to police
- Theft and driving after suspension
