Posted at: 12/21/2009 10:28 PM
By: Mark Albert & Becky Nahm

Print Story  Email to a Friend

Minnetonka Police Officer Arrested Again

A Minnetonka police officer who admitted breaking into a Chanhassen home to steal prescription drugs was arrested again.

Dan Saba was cited Thursday for disorderly conduct--a misdemeanor--in Victoria. Friday a judge determined the citation violated the conditions of Saba's and issued a warrant for his arrest.

The Carver County Attorney said, in the Victoria incident, Saba approached a woman. She thought she was trying to break into her home.

Saba, 37, said he was trying to sell her a snow-removal service. He's on unpaid leave from the Minnetonka Police Department and has no income.

Saba's attorney Rob Fowler said his client is being unfairly targeted.

Fowler said, "The report has several inaccuracies in it. If they really thought he was committing a burglary, go for it, charge him with attempted burglary. Because they didn't do that, they don't have the evidence because there's no crime being committed here."

Fowler said authorities are using the disorderly conduct citation to try to influence the judge who will sentence Saba in February for the May 6 Chanhassen breakin.

Saba pleaded guilty to that breakin Dec. 1 in Carver County. He pleaded to one count of felony, first degree burglary.

Saba also faces a charge of first degree burglary in Hennepin County. He's accused of breaking into a home in Excelsior on May 1.

According to the complaint in that case, Saba admitted to breaking into approximately ten homes in all, always looking for prescription drugs.

"No one--not even police--are immune from the addictive qualities of these prescription medications," said Fowler. "This is a gradual addiction and he's received treatment for that and it's working."

Carver County Attorney Jim Keelor said if Saba's "behavior continues, it is a risk" to public safety.