Aug 6, 2013

Archived: State Investigation Concludes Evidence in Tom Decker Case Would Have Lead To Arrest

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – State law enforcement officials say evidence in the slaying of a Cold Spring police officer would have supported the arrest of a suspect who committed suicide.

The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension announced Tuesday that authorities have completed the active portion of the investigation into the Nov. 29, 2012 shooting death of Officer Tom Decker behind a downtown Cold Spring bar. The agency says the case will remain open in case new information emerges.

The BCA says investigators compiled evidence that would have resulted in the arrest of Eric Joseph Thomes of rural Cold Spring on murder charges. Thomes was a person of interest in the case when he fled from investigators and killed himself on Jan. 2. 

According to the BCA, although there was sufficient probable cause existed to arrest Ryan Michael Larson a continued investigation did not reveal sufficient evidence to charge Larson.  There is no known connected between Thomes and Larson.

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