A River Falls couple has been arrested in connection with a string of burglaries in the city that amounts to more than $30,000 in stolen property.

Dylan James Nestor, 32, Askov, Minn (formerly of River Falls) was ordered to pay $1,000 cash bail March 13 in Pierce County Circuit Court on felony theft – movable property (>$10,000-$100,000), felony burglary – building or dwelling, felony theft – movable property > $2,500-$5,000 and felony bail jumping. If convicted, he faces up to 12.5 years in prison and/or fines up to $25,000.

His girlfriend, Kearie Dawn Schwisow, 27, River Falls, posted a $10,000 signature bond March 18 in Pierce County Circuit Court on felony theft – movable property (as party to a crime) and felony burglary – building or dwelling charges.

According to the complaint:

River Falls police were dispatched at 7:08 a.m. Feb. 23 to the 1100 block of South Wasson Lane for a possible burglary. Officers had been called to the property the day before for a similar complaint. The property owner stated that someone had entered storage buildings after 8 p.m. Feb. 22 and before 7:08 a.m. Feb. 23 and stolen his 1976 Ford F100. The property owner stated that all buildings had been locked.

Police could see that someone had entered another nearby property of someone who was out of town. The door had been forced open, but police were unaware at that time if anything had been taken. The main door and another north door were still open and the suspect had unlocked the door when leaving.

The police detailed a sequence of events that started with the suspect forcing open the main entrance door on one building, where it was unknown right away if anything was taken. After opening another door in another part of the building, the suspect went to another property and tried to pry open the door without success. That door was then kicked open; police could see a shoe print left on the door (the same print from a previous case). The door was badly damaged and estimated to cost $300 to replace. The suspect then tried opening a large sliding door (the locking mechanism was unlatched and three tires moved), but couldn’t because it was frozen shut. The suspect then took a key from a Ski-Doo 600 snowmobile. Police found a yellow tool outside the building that was taken into evidence.

At the next building, the suspect knocked down an outside flood light above the main entrance. Officers located a soft black tool container outside the building and could see the suspect had pried pen the southwest door to enter the building, causing damage to the door. They found a large pry bar just inside the door. The suspect then opened the overhead building door and unlocked the main entrance door, stole a Wisconsin collector license plate (valued at $100) and the 1976 Ford F100. The overhead door was left open.

Police investigation revealed the properties had been burglarized two consecutive nights. Along with the restored Ford, a 4-wheeler and snowomobile had also been taken, totaling more than $30,000. Other smaller items had also been taken.

Police were notified of a string of vehicle break-ins that had occurred on the UW-River Falls during the same time frame. Multiple windows had been broken and property stolen. By communicating with Shakopee, Minn. police, River Falls investigators learned that Nestor had been actively stealing from vehicles. He had also been arrested for similar offenses in River Falls in November 2023.

Shakopee officers provided River Falls police with a video/photos of Nestor and his girlfriend, Schwisow, driving a 2020 Buick Enclave. They had been seen together at a pawn shop in Duluth, Minn., on Feb. 13. At 2:58 p.m. Feb. 22, cameras on Woodbury, Minn. captured the Buick pulling a trailer with a red four-wheeler and gray snowblower (from the RF burglary) on it.

Police located the Buick parked at Schwisow’s residence in the 500 block of South Wasson Lane on Feb. 23. Officers met with Schwisow and her parents, who consented to a search of the Buick. Schwisow confirmed she was with Nestor in the Buick when he was towing the trailer. She also confirmed Nestor’s presence in River Falls on Feb. 21-22. She said he had taken her vehicle Feb. 21 to meet with his probation officer and had the vehicle from 2:30-10:30 p.m. that day.

After he picked her up from work, she drove him to his home in Askov, Minn. When Nestor drove on Thursday, they were towing the trailer with the four-wheeler, she said. They picked it up in Hammond and took it to Nestor’s home, where he stayed while Schwisow went home to River Falls. She said when she questioned Nestor about the trailer that he told her it was “legitimate.” He told her he was selling the four-wheeler for someone he knew.

In the Buick, police found several Milwaukee power tools, a pry bar, a trailer hitch, a black book bag and miscellaneous tools. One of the Wasson Lane victims confirmed the power tools were his, along with antique oil cans. In the center console, investigators found a VIN tag for the stolen F100 pickup.

Other possible burglary-related items found in the car included pry bars, screwdrivers, rubber gloves, a JBL speaker, a plastic bag of change, Milwaukee power tools, oil cans, the VIN tag, a winch, an iPhone, and check books for another man.

Police were able to recover the F100 in the 700 block of St. Croix Street. On Feb. 24, police learned several vehicles and campers had been broken into near the F100’s recovery location and appeared to be related to other burglaries around River Falls.

At 6:35 p.m. Feb. 25, a 2013 Ford Focus was stolen in River Falls. At 9:35 a.m. Feb. 27, Minneapolis police arrested Nestor, who had the Ford Focus in his possession. He was transported to Hennepin County Jail. River Falls investigators located a stolen chainsaw from the Wasson Lane burglaries in the Focus, along with multiple other items.

In a second interview with Schwisow, officers confronted her about providing false information about her whereabouts. Images show Schwisow’s vehicle in and around the Twin Cities with and without the trailer, which means Schwisow would not have had enough time to take Nestor to Askov as she had said. She admitted she had lied but refused to provide any clear answers on where she and Nestor had taken the stolen property.

In a separate case, Nestor was ordered to pay $1,000 cash bail in Pierce County Circuit Court Dec. 5 on felony misappropriate ID info – obtain money, felony forgery – writing or objects, felony receiving stolen property, felony possession of narcotic drugs, theft of mail and criminal damage to property charges.

His next court appearance is an arraignment scheduled for 10 a.m. May 7. Schwisow is set to appear at a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. May 3.