A Minnesota man is facing a criminal charge after police say he installed a homemade spike trap on his front lawn in an effort to stop children from riding their bicycles across his yard to reach a nearby park.
The suspect, Kyle James Steffen, 39, has been charged with setting a spring gun, pitfall, deadfall, or snare, a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota law.
Complaint Began After Neighbor Contacted Police
According to a criminal complaint, the incident occurred near Goodview Park in Wyoming, Minnesota, where Steffen lives along the edge of the public park.
Police were called after a woman reported that Steffen had been yelling at her children to stay off his property.
The woman also told officers that she had discovered what she described as “spikes” placed on Steffen’s lawn, raising concerns that someone could be seriously injured.
Officers Found Homemade Spike Strip
When officers arrived at the property, they located the object described by the caller.
According to the complaint, police found a three-foot-long, five-inch-wide piece of thick clear plastic lying in the grass.
Attached to the plastic were approximately 40 screws, each measuring about three inches long, with the sharp ends pointing upward.
Investigators described the object as a homemade spike strip.
Police Say Device Was Intended to Stop Children
According to the criminal complaint, officers determined the device functioned as a pitfall intended to prevent children riding bicycles from crossing Steffen’s yard as a shortcut into Goodview Park.
While examining the area, investigators observed bicycle tire tracks running both underneath and around the spike strip, suggesting that children had continued using the route despite the hazard.
Homeowner Admitted Placing the Trap
Police later spoke with Steffen at his home.
According to investigators, he admitted placing the spike strip on his lawn.
Steffen reportedly told officers that he had yelled at neighborhood children “hundreds of times” in an attempt to stop them from riding their bicycles across his property.
He claimed the children continued cutting through his yard “out of spite.”
According to the complaint, officers noted that Steffen appeared frustrated because the homemade device had not successfully stopped the children from using his lawn.
Criminal Charge Filed
Following the investigation, prosecutors charged Steffen with setting a spring gun, pitfall, deadfall, or snare, which is classified as a gross misdemeanor in Minnesota.
Authorities did not book him into jail following the charge.
Court Date Scheduled
Steffen is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Aug. 25.
According to local television station KARE, a conviction on the gross misdemeanor charge could carry a penalty of up to 180 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
The criminal case remains pending, and Kyle James Steffen is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
