Westbrook woman sentenced for participating in Walnut Grove burglaries

A Westbrook woman, Christael B. Barber, age 29, was found guilty in Redwood County Court of felony-level burglary after participating in a series of thefts in Walnut Grove.

According to court documents, on May 28, 2023, a Redwood County deputy spoke with the victim in Walnut Grove. The victim stated several items had been taken from his garage, including a saw. He also stated he saw a Dodge pickup truck in the area, with three people in it.

Two days later, the deputy was sent out on another report of a Walnut Grove theft. A witness stated she had seen someone walking out of the first victim’s garage carrying a saw and putting it in the back of a pickup. A second witness stated he had had several items taken from his garage as well, and was able to identify the driver. This witness identified a woman in the pickup as Crystal, or Christael.

Barber had a previous conviction for gross misdemeanor theft from a Lyon County incident in Oct. 2022.

On April 8, Barber was sentenced to 27 months in the correctional facility in Shakopee, stayed for five years, 82 days local confinement, five years supervised probation, and fines and fees of $335.