Teen fishing charged with breaking into West St. Paul water reservoir

WEST ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A teen has been charged after he broke into a water reservoir in West St. Paul in November to go fishing. 

Zachary Daniel Laiho, 19, is charged with felony first-degree criminal damage to property, trespassing and fleeing a peace officer. 

Fishing in West St. Paul's water reservoir

What we know:

According to court documents, just before 10 p.m. on Nov. 19, West St. Paul police officers responded to a disturbance at a water reservoir in the city. Officers were told that three to four people were seen on top of the reservoir - an underground tank that holds about 5 million gallons of drinking water. 

When officers responded to the scene, they told the suspect to come down as they were under arrest, court documents say. The suspects then fled the officers into a nearby neighborhood. 

Police found the hatch to the water reservoir open with damage to it and its lock. A crowbar was also found nearby. 

Laiho was found by officers in the backyard of a residence and was taken into custody. 

He told officers that he and his friends broke into the water reservoir because they "heard there were fish in the reservoir and wanted to see for themselves". Laiho also said he and his friends "make fishing videos in obscure places". 

Laiho reportedly denied opening the hatch, saying his friends did so, but refused to identify them. Officers did locate a juvenile who admitted to being at the reservoir with his friends and ran when he heard police. 

Another man turned himself into the police, admitting he had been there as well. He said someone opened the hatch, but it wasn't him, and that nothing had been put in the water. 

Water tested after incident

What we know:

The water reservoir was shut down and isolated from the main water supply after the incident for testing of contaminates, court documents said.

No contamination was found after the testing and the water reservoir opened back up. 

The cost of the labor to do the testing, shut down and reopen the reservoir was a total of $3,316.68. 

What's next:

Laiho's next court appearance is Feb. 18.