Donald Merrill Jr.
Vergas, MN – 25-year-old Donald Merrill Jr. of Vergas has plead guilty to 1st Degree Burglary in connection with a burglary of a bar in Vergas.
On March 27th, 2024, the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of burglary at Billy’s Corner Bar & Grill in Vergas. According to court documents, surveillance footage from the bar showed a man smashing the front window to gain entry and walk over to the showcase where a Ruger handgun was being displayed as a raffle prize. The man removed the handgun from the case and left through the broken window. Officials say the footage revealed the suspect drove a Ford Ranger and his clothes and shoes were unique and identifiable.
Later that evening, deputies located the suspect’s Ford Ranger at a residence in Vergas. A search warrant for the residence was obtained and executed the next day. After questioning everyone in the house, officials were able to identify Merrill Jr. as the suspect and convinced him to reveal the location of the stolen handgun. He reportedly told officers that he had seen the firearm while he was eating at the bar and decided that he wanted it, so he “made an impulse decision” when he broke in to take it. Merrill Jr. was arrested and placed in the Otter Tail County Detention Facility.
In court on Monday (September 16th), Merrill Jr. plead guilty to felony 1st Degree Burglary with a Dangerous Weapon, as well as a misdemeanor charge for having possession of a firearm as a felon. His sentencing is set for November 4th.