MINNEISKA, Minn. — Deputies were called to Dam 5 about a failed attempt during the night to break into a vending machine — only to learn a little later that a gang had been raiding machines up and down the Mississippi River from LaCrosse to Red Wing. The call to Dam 5 was about 6:30 a.m. Then other reports kept coming in. At last count: Break-ins were reported at Altura, Bass Camp, Hokah, LaCrescent, LaCrosse, Lake City and Red Wing. Surveillance video at some locations showed four persons, sometimes five, using a nail and an angle grinder to break the locks. Some attempts were at coin laundries. Police believed they have identified some of thieves.
