By Dan Nienaber
The Free Press
MANKATO — A Department of Corrections parolee who was living in Vernon Center is back in prison after allegedly assaulting a roommate before stealing his Jeep, guitars, a compound bow, a computer, a tablet, a cellphone, some change and prescription drugs.
Kaleb Daniel Riggs, 26, is accused of cutting the Department of Corrections GPS device off his ankle before leaving on Nov. 25. A Kansas native, he was arrested in the Wichita area on Nov. 29 by the Seducing County Sheriff’s Department. He has since been sent to the corrections facility in Lino Lakes.
The victim first called the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Department on Nov. 25. At that time he didn’t want to pursue charges against Riggs and his girlfriend, Lindsey Dupraz, 30. He told deputies he didn’t want them to get into any additional trouble.
At the time Riggs was on supervised release for a 2009 criminal sexual conduct conviction in 2009 in Koochiching County that sent him to prison. Dupraz had a warrant for her arrest for missing a court hearing for a misdemeanor theft charge in Blue Earth County District Court.
On Nov. 26 the victim changed his mind after making a visit to the hospital. He reported he was told he had broken face bones and he had realized how many items had been stolen from his home. The value of the items stolen is almost $2,000, the victim said. He also reported his wallet was missing and someone had withdrawn $100 in cash with a debit card before the victim was able to cancel all of his bank cards.
This time the victim reported he and Dupraz were arguing about the Jeep when she jumped on him while he was lying on the couch. He said he threatened to call 911. Dupraz followed him to his computer room and continued to yell at him. She also smashed a vase in the victim’s bedroom and tore the phone from the wall when he threatened to call 911, according to the criminal complaint filed Wednesday.
Riggs then allegedly followed the victim into his computer room and started physically assaulting him. The victim said Riggs hit him in the back of the head and kicked him in the ribs after he fell to the ground. The victim could hear Dupraz and Riggs making up stories to tell deputies while he remained on the floor, he reported.
After Riggs was arrested in Kansas, a Vernon Center police officer called him for an interview. He said the victim was attacking him and Dupraz, denied stealing the guitars and other items, admitted to taking some clothing and said he didn’t know how law enforcement could contact Dupraz.
Riggs has been charged in Blue Earth County failing to register as a predatory offender and theft, both felonies. He has also been charged with misdemeanor assault
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