Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man is facing two felony theft by swindle charges in Pennington County after an investigation into missing vehicle sales at a local dealership.
According to the criminal complaint, Jason Robert Schaalma, 50, is charged under Minnesota Statute 609.52. The case is filed in Pennington County District Court. Public case records in Minnesota can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
What the Complaint Says
Court documents say the case began in February 2026. A dealership owner reported an inventory problem. Two internal systems did not match. That led to a closer review.
Investigators allege Schaalma, a used car manager, created sales paperwork for vehicles sold to Epic Auto. The complaint says he then deleted those transactions from one dealership system. It also says he removed the same vehicles from another inventory system. That made the vehicles appear unavailable for sale.
The complaint says some of the vehicles were later traced near Epic Auto. Three were allegedly found being held for resale. The dealership then questioned Schaalma about the missing units.
Managers told investigators that Schaalma later admitted the vehicles had been sold. He allegedly said money from the deals was shifted to other sales. Prosecutors say that explanation did not match the dealership’s records.
Money Trail and Vehicle Files
The complaint says the missing inventory was worth about $84,000. Investigators also found 18 deal jackets inside Schaalma’s demo vehicle. Those files allegedly matched vehicles removed from dealership inventory.
Investigators later reviewed bank records from First National Bank Bemidji. The complaint says those records showed 21 checks from Epic Auto to Schaalma. The checks were issued between March 2025 and February 2026. Prosecutors say the checks totaled $50,800. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Several check memos listed vehicle descriptions, according to the complaint. Investigators said those descriptions matched vehicles deleted from the dealership’s inventory.
Charges Filed
Schaalma now faces two felony counts of theft by swindle. Each count alleges losses above $5,000. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both, according to the complaint and Minnesota law. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
The allegations have not been proven in court. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
