A 39-year-old Wyoming, Minnesota man is facing criminal charges after police say he built a homemade spike strip and buried it in his yard — designed to puncture bicycle tires of neighborhood children who used his lawn as a shortcut.
What Officers Found
Police responded in late April after a neighbor called to report the man yelling at her children to stay off his property. When officers arrived, they discovered a long strip of thick plastic embedded with approximately 40 screws, each three inches long, pointing upward from the ground.
Bicycle tire tracks in the yard suggested children had been regularly cutting through the property on their way to a nearby park.
What the Man Told Police
The man admitted to placing the device himself. He told investigators he had repeatedly asked the children to stop crossing his yard and felt he had no other option. He claimed his intention was to scare them — not to cause injury.
Officers noted he appeared frustrated that the spike strip had not worked.
The Charges He Now Faces
He has been charged with one gross misdemeanor count of setting a spring gun, pitfall, deadfall, or snare. If convicted, he faces up to 180 days in jail or a $1,000 fine.
His first court appearance is scheduled for August 25.
Why This Case Is Getting Attention
The case raises questions about how far homeowners can legally go to protect their property — especially when children are involved. Authorities made clear that regardless of intent, placing hidden devices capable of injuring people on accessible land crosses a legal line.