ALEXANDRIA, MN — Two Alexandria men, Milford William Mudgett, Jr., 57, and Wade Quinton Burnside, 34, have been charged in connection with a burglary at The Rune construction site, located at Broadway and Third Avenue. Charges were filed this month in Douglas County District Court.
Both face third-degree burglary charges. Mudgett also faces two felony fifth-degree controlled substance charges, while Burnside is additionally charged with theft.
The burglary was reported on the morning of July 6, 2025, after several thousand dollars’ worth of items were discovered missing. According to court documents, the stolen items included a company laptop, a high-powered cordless drill, an impact driver, various hand tools, and a 5-gallon bucket full of copper wiring.
Surveillance footage from the site showed two male suspects entering the building shortly after 4:30 a.m. One of the men wore a black medical-style mask, but his distinctive build and gait led an officer to recognize him as Mudgett.
Mudgett was arrested during a traffic stop on July 7, and was found in possession of methamphetamine and cocaine, according to the probable cause statement.
During questioning, Mudgett admitted to entering the building unlawfully, claiming his involvement was minor. He said he tried to steal the bucket of copper wire but left it behind because it was too heavy. He admitted to taking a cordless drill and hiding it in a dumpster, intending to retrieve it later.
He also identified Burnside as the second suspect, stating that Burnside had scouted the building in advance and came up with the plan. Mudgett claimed he was unaware of surveillance cameras and was not involved in planning the burglary.
Police compared footage with Burnside’s most recent booking photos to confirm his identity. A warrant has been issued for Burnside’s arrest, while Mudgett remains in Douglas County Jail.
