Ex-Hennepin sheriff's captain charged with stealing lab generator for ice fishing
A former Hennepin County Sheriff's Office captain, Labatt, has been charged with felony theft after a complaint says he took a department-owned generator from the HCSO forensic lab, used it while ice fishing Feb. 1-28 and left it on the lake. The complaint and records say lab staff sent multiple unanswered emails about the missing unit, Labatt did not offer to replace it until after a new generator ($1,209), a gas can and two gallons of gas ($26.97) and $80 for AirTags were purchased, and that Labatt — who joined HCSO in 1989 and became forensic lab director in January 2021 — was separated from employment on April 30, 2025; the HCSO crime lab serves 35 local agencies plus state and federal partners.
📌 Key Facts
- A complaint alleges former Hennepin County Sheriff's Office captain Labatt took a forensic lab generator for a personal ice-fishing trip and used it on the lake Feb. 1–28, then left it on the lake without attempting to retrieve it or arranging recovery.
- HCSO staff sent multiple emails about the missing generator that went unanswered, and Labatt did not offer to replace it until after a new one was purchased.
- Itemized replacement and related costs reported were $1,209 for a new generator, $26.97 for a gas can plus two gallons of gas, and $80 to add AirTags (total $1,315.97).
- Labatt joined the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office in 1989, became the forensic lab director in January 2021, and was separated from employment on April 30, 2025.
- The HCSO crime lab serves 35 local agencies as well as the Minnesota State Patrol and federal agencies.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- Complaint specifies the generator was used Feb. 1–28 for ice fishing and then left on the lake; Labatt did not attempt to retrieve it or arrange recovery.
- Itemized replacement and related costs: $1,209 for a new generator, $26.97 for a gas can plus 2 gallons of gas, and $80 to add AirTags.
- Sheriff’s Office staff sent multiple emails about the missing generator that went unanswered, and Labatt did not offer to replace it until after a new one was purchased.
- Career details: Labatt joined HCSO in 1989, became forensic lab director in Jan. 2021, and was separated from employment on April 30, 2025.
- Scope note: the HCSO crime lab serves 35 local agencies plus the State Patrol and federal agencies.