Crime & Safety
Suspect in Oakdale Woman's Murder Identified, No Charges Yet
A man whom police believe was connected to the 39-year-old woman's murder was arrested Thursday and is being held on unrelated charges.
Oakdale police released the name of a suspect Friday in the , who was found dead in her Oakdale Village apartment Wednesday.
Thomas James Fox, 44, of St. Paul, was arrested Thursday afternoon at 10th Street and LaSalle Avenue in Minneapolis during a traffic stop. He was wanted on a Minnesota Department of Corrections Warrant for running from a halfway house while he was in a work release program, according to the news release.
He had been convicted of an aggravated robbery with a handgun charge, the release says.
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He’s currently being held at the Hennepin County Jail, according to the release.
The Oakdale Police Department is "looking forward to charges" in the upcoming weeks, the release says.
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“Ultimately a formal charging decision will be made when authorities involved have completely processed investigative information and resolved outstanding violations from other jurisdictions,” the release says.
Police said Baker was acquainted with Fox, however, they can't provide more details on how they knew each other, according to Oakdale Community Affairs Officer Michelle Stark.
Baker was a nanny who was active in the Twin Cities Professional Nannies group, the Star Tribune reports.
Baker was found dead by her employer, who then called police, and her .
Fox has a criminal history that includes the following convictions, listed by conviction date:
- Feb. 26, 1990: Aiding and abetting fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct in Hennepin County.
- Dec. 5, 1991: Theft from a person, in Hennepin County.
- Nov. 9, 1994: Fifth-degree assault in Ramsey County.
- April 19, 1995: First-degree aggravated robbery in Ramsey County.
- April 10, 2008: Fifth-degree drug possession with intent to distribute in Hennepin County.
- Oct. 23, 2008: Offering a forged check in Hennepin County.
Baker's funeral date has been set for 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2, at the Church of St. Thomas Becket, 4455 South Robert Trail, in Eagan. There will be a gathering Sunday, Jan. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Joseph S. Klecatsky & Sons Funeral Home at 1580 Century Point in Eagan and also one hour prior to the Mass at church on Monday.