THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A St. Cloud man has been sentenced for stealing more than $4,169 in merchandise from a Thief River Falls store.
Casey Michael Wheeler, 35, was sentenced Monday, April 13, in Pennington County District Court.
Wheeler was sentenced for felony theft. He was ordered to serve 19 months in prison.
The sentence will run at the same time as another case. Wheeler received credit for 341 days served.
He was also ordered to pay $210 in fees and fines.
Theft Reported At L&M Fleet Supply
The case started with a theft report at L&M Fleet Supply on Dec. 27, 2024.
According to the complaint, a store employee reported a man and woman left with carts of merchandise.
The complaint says they did not pay for the items.
The two then left in a Dodge Durango with no license plates.
Law enforcement was not able to find the vehicle right away.
Investigators later used store video and help from other agencies.
They identified the suspects as Wheeler and Ashley Anne Ashley.
The stolen items were valued at $4,169.42.
They included a Honda generator valued at $1,099.
Complaint Details Store Exit
The complaint says Wheeler and Ashley pushed carts through the load-out doors.
Wheeler’s cart appeared to contain the Honda generator.
He loaded the generator into the vehicle, according to the complaint.
Ashley placed a DeWalt box and another black box into the vehicle.
Store managers were near the doors when alarms sounded.
One manager pulled the shopping cart away from Ashley.
Ashley then jumped into the backseat, and Wheeler drove away.
Vehicle Later Linked To Case
Investigators later learned Bemidji police had received a stolen vehicle report.
The report involved a Dodge Durango.
The owner believed the vehicle shown in store video was his.
Authorities later saw the stolen vehicle outside a home in Ogema.
Wheeler was arrested after driving the vehicle, according to the complaint.
The vehicle matched the one seen in store surveillance video.
Its black seats had orange side stripes, matching the video.
Generator Found During Search
While jailed in Becker County, Wheeler spoke with investigators.
He admitted he and Ashley stole the generator and other items.
Wheeler said the generator was taken because he did not have electricity.
He also said they removed the vehicle’s plates before going to the store.
According to the complaint, they expected the store to have outside cameras.
Search warrants were later served at two Ogema homes.
The Honda generator was found near the front door of Wheeler’s mother’s home.
The L&M Fleet Supply price tag was still attached.
Ashley later admitted filling a shopping cart with items and leaving without paying.
She has since been sentenced for her role in the theft.
Case information may be available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.