Jury Convicts Man in Casper Menards Theft Case
A Natrona County jury found Shane Mitchell Patrick guilty of conspiracy and theft for shoplifting at a Casper Menards.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Property Crime
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A jury convicted Shane Mitchell Patrick, 38, of two counts of conspiracy and theft after deliberating about 20 minutes. Patrick was taken into custody without bond following the verdict.
Why it matters
The case rested heavily on store surveillance footage and the cooperation of a co-defendant, who pleaded guilty to identical charges and testified for prosecutors. It illustrates how retail theft cases are built and prosecuted in Casper.
Patrick was convicted on two counts and remains in custody without bond pending sentencing. A previous burglary case and a third-time possession case against him were dismissed.
The players
Shane Mitchell Patrick
The 38-year-old defendant convicted of conspiracy and theft in the Casper Menards case.
Kerry Davis Muggenburg
The co-defendant who pleaded guilty to identical charges and testified for prosecutors under a cooperation agreement.
The details
Surveillance footage shows Kerry Davis Muggenburg pushing a cart of items out a back door to the lumber yard, out of camera view, to Patrick's truck on two visits. Patrick then drove away hauling a trailer full of rebar that had been pre-purchased.
Timeline
April 30, 2026: Both alleged store visits took place.
October 2026: Muggenburg pleaded guilty to identical charges.
Monday: Prosecution gave opening arguments at trial.
Wednesday: Closing arguments were heard and the jury returned its verdict.
Legal Context
Shoplifting prosecutions in Wyoming turn on aggregate value thresholds, so the alleged $1,000 felony line shapes how cases like this one are charged. Co-defendant cooperation, as seen here, is a common tool in retail theft trials built on store footage.
Retailers near Casper's lumber and building-supply yards may see tighter loss-prevention measures after cases like this, including monitoring of back-door and yard exits. Shoppers buying large items should expect staff to verify pickups against receipts.
The takeaway
Retail theft cases often hinge on surveillance footage and insider cooperation rather than on the value of any single item. Store owners and shoppers alike benefit from understanding how aggregate value thresholds determine whether a theft is charged as a misdemeanor or felony.
Further reading
For more local coverage of theft and break-in cases, browse Property Crime reporting from around Casper.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Oil City News.
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