Court Weighs Mental Competency for Man Accused of Two Thefts

A 39-year-old Cheyenne man is in hot water after allegedly stealing a forklift and taking a wooden parking barrier and swinging it at a man.

The Arrest

According to a booking sheet, police arrested Frederick John Dekraker in the 400 block of Central Avenue at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, for aggravated assault and battery - threatens to use a drawn deadly weapon.

Get our free mobile app

Dekraker was booked into the Laramie County Detention Center and subsequently charged with two misdemeanors, including theft and simple assault with attempted injury.

It's alleged that Dekraker took a wooden parking barrier belonging to The Galaxy Donut (Shop on Central) and attempted to cause bodily injury to a male by swinging it at him.

Initial Court Appearance

On Friday, Feb. 13, Dekraker was seen in Laramie County Circuit Court in front of Judge Sean C. Chambers on the charges.

"I was defending myself," Dekraker told Chambers. "People came after me with guns, so the only thing I could pick up was a 4x4."

Chambers appointed Dekraker a public defender then asked for the state's bond recommendation.

"Your honor, Mr. Dekraker has several concerning contacts with law enforcement and upon review of his federal criminal history, I see a history of failures to appear, I see that there appears to be an active warrant out of ... Oregon indicating caution required," the state said.

"The behavior that we're seeing, and the criminal history seems to support that Mr. Dekraker has violent tendencies and is dangerous ... I also note priors for assault," the state added. "In either event, your honor, the state's going to be recommending $5,000 cash in this matter."

Bond Set at $5,000 Cash

"I will set a $5,000 cash only bond. If you post that, I can set conditions," Chambers told Dekraker. "Your next court date is for an arraignment that will be on March 13 at 3 p.m."

Felony Theft Charge

A week later, on Friday, Feb. 20, Dekraker was back in Circuit Court in front of Chambers on a felony theft charge.

It's alleged that between Monday, Feb. 9 and Wednesday, Feb. 11, Dekraker took a forklift from Bar Ten Manufacturing LLC in Cheyenne valued at $5,000.

Chambers appointed Dekraker a public defender and set his preliminary hearing for Friday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m.

Chambers then asked for the state's bond recommendation.

"Your honor, as I'm sure the court is aware, Mr. Dekraker is facing a separate docket as well for another theft," the state said. "I think that this is a felony and that in conjunction with his criminal history, including failures to appear in '21 and '19, that at least a $5,000 cash bond would be appropriate in this matter."

Bond Set at $5,000 Cash

"(Your bond) is $5,000 cash," Chambers told Dekraker.

Proceedings Paused

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, a motion to suspend proceedings and designate examiner for competency evaluation was filed and signed, hence pausing the proceedings so an examiner can evaluate Dekraker's mental competency.

Please remember that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.