On Wednesday, March 10th the Eau Claire Police Department executed a search warrant at 13320 43rd Avenue in the Village of Lake Hallie in regards to the theft of computer components from Hutchinson Technology Inc.

The department learned from the Department of Natural Resources that it had contacted 21-year-old Matthew R. Hagen regarding violations of dumping hazardous waste in the Eau Claire County Forest.

The initial investigation by the DNR revealed that Mr. Hagen had been using an acid process to remove trace amounts of gold from components that he illegally took from his place of employment, Hutchinson Technology Inc. This process involved Nitric Acid and was being conducted in the Eau Claire County Forest. The acid used in the process was subsequently being illegally dumped in the forest by Mr. Hagen.

The DNR contacted Eau Claire Police and a search warrant was executed at Mr. Hagen’s residence regarding the stolen computer components.

During the execution of the search warrant, detectives recovered numerous components that were gold plated and were stolen from Hutchinson Technology Inc. The value of the stolen items was estimated to be $50,000.

Hagen was arrested for Felony Theft and appeared in court on Thursday. Hagen was released from custody on a $1,000 signature bond. Hagen has a pending court appearance of April 1st, 2010.

This case is still under investigation by the Eau Claire Police Department and Department of Natural Resources; therefore additional information will be limited.