×

Alleged plant thieves nabbed

Andrea Johnson/MDN Award-winning plants are pictured in the atrium of the North Dakota State Fair on July 19. One of the plants, a grand prize winner grown by a member of the Beulah High School FFA, was allegedly stolen on July 21 by Joshua Wentz and Tiana Demontigny. The plant was later recovered

Two Minot residents are scheduled to make an initial appearance in district court in Minot on Aug. 12 on a charge that they nabbed a prize-winning plant on July 21 at the North Dakota State Fair.

Joshua Peter Wentz, 38, and Tiana Ashley Demontigny, 28, are each charged Class B misdemeanor conspiracy to commit theft of property.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed with the court, the plant was brought to the fair by the Beulah High School Chapter of the Future Farmers of America. The plant had won the grand prize at the State Fair and was on display in the atrium. The pair, accompanied by two children and pushing a three-wheel stroller, allegedly stole the plant on the evening of July 21. Security video shows Wentz grabbing the plant and then walking back toward Demontigny, who appears to be acting as a lookout.

The North Dakota State Fair posted security camera still photographs of a male and female who were suspected of stealing the plant on Facebook and asked for assistance. Within just minutes of the post being made, four anonymous callers called in and identified the thieves as Wentz and Demontigny. The Ward County Sheriff’s Department compared the security photos with past mugshots of Wentz and Demontigny and agreed that they had a match.

Lt. Dale Clemens and Sheriff Robert Roed went to the couple’s address at 620 19th Avenue SE, No. 3.

A violet plant vine was on the ground right below the balcony of No. 3. One of the couple’s neighbors told Clemens that there had been a “beautiful” hanging basket on the balcony. The plant was no longer there.

Clemens was later contacted by Wentz, who told Clemens that they had purchased the plant for $100. Wentz turned the plant over to law enforcement. Demontigny told Cleemens over the phone that Wentz bought the plant for $100 but she was not with him when he paid for it. Wentz told Clemens that he and Demontigny were together when he paid $100 to a man who was wearing a State Fair shirt.

The Beulah High School FFA chapter filed a theft complaint. The plant was valued at between $50 and $100.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today