Casper man convicted after jury reviews 20-minute shoplifting case
Shane Mitchell Patrick was found guilty of conspiracy and theft at Menards, while his co-defendant pleaded guilty and cooperated with prosecutors.
By Alyssa Parker ·
Natrona County District Attorney Dan Itzen announced on Wednesday that a jury returned a guilty verdict against a Casper man in roughly 20 minutes. The conviction covers two counts related to alleged thefts from a Menards store.
Shane Mitchell Patrick, 38, faced trial on charges of theft and conspiracy. His co-defendant, Kerry Davis Muggenburg, had previously entered guilty pleas and agreed to work with prosecutors early in the legal process.
Trial evidence included security footage from the store. The video showed the two men entering the facility on April 30, 2026, during two separate visits. One visit occurred in the morning and the other in the afternoon. On both days, Patrick scanned his entry pass and drove a truck through the back gate to pick up pre-purchased rebar for a job they shared with a mutual employer.
Public Defender Dylan Rosalez noted that while both men appeared in various departments, only Muggenburg was seen pushing a cart full of items out the back door toward the lumber yard. Muggenburg moved the cart out of camera view to Patrick’s truck. Patrick then drove away, hauling a trailer filled with rebar. Staff later found the empty cart in a corner of the yard.
Assistant District Attorney Pat LeBrun argued during opening statements that the footage would make the situation clear to the jury. He stated, “At the end of the day you’ll be able to see with your own eyes that Shane Patrick knew what was going on.” LeBrun also pointed out that Patrick made a 180-degree turn on the morning trip, a maneuver he said was unnecessary unless he was heading to a meet-up location.
Rosalez countered that Muggenburg was the sole thief and that Patrick was simply performing his work duties. Rosalez asked the jury to consider why the pair did not target higher-value items if they had a grand plan to steal. A store employee reviewed the footage clips with the prosecution and identified the items being taken. Rosalez described the inventory manager’s tallies as informal and called them best guesses rather than a definitive list.
The Casper Police Department affidavit focused on the morning trip. It listed items taken, including pairs of deerskin gloves, two sets of Cobra pliers, a $40 crimper, a $250 thermostat, and a $450 wireless home security camera. The felony charges alleged the total value of the stolen goods exceeded $1,000. Patrick was taken into custody without bond following the verdict. Court records show a previous burglary and third-time possession case against him have been dismissed. Muggenburg pleaded guilty last month with a deal that kept the prosecution from asking for prison time.
