Mahnomen (trfnews.i234.me) — A Mahnomen man is facing theft, vehicle tampering, and property damage charges after a reported garage theft.
Percy Leonard French is charged in Mahnomen County District Court.
The case is filed in Minnesota’s 9th Judicial District under court file 44-CR-26-51.
A summons was issued in the case, according to court records.
Vehicle Reported Damaged
According to the complaint, law enforcement responded on January 16, 2026.
The report came from the south garage at Riverland Apartments in Mahnomen County.
Ashlea Bevins reported damage to her son’s vehicle.
The vehicle was registered to Christopher Vanwert Jr., according to the complaint.
Bevins said a window had been broken.
She also reported that new hunting waders, a radio, and taillights were missing.
The complaint says the vehicle was broken down.
The family had planned to have it towed elsewhere.
Authorities observed that a small rear passenger-side window had been smashed.
Items Taken From Vehicle
Bevins told authorities the chest waders were recently bought from Scheels.
The complaint lists the value of the waders at $350.
Christopher had recently installed a JVC radio.
The radio was valued at about $165, according to court records.
Christopher estimated the taillights cost between $85 and $120 each.
The broken window also needed repair.
Surveillance Video Cited
On January 22, authorities learned surveillance video had been located.
The complaint says the incident happened on January 12, 2026.
The video allegedly showed an older Ford Expedition entering the garage.
The vehicle was parked next to the victim’s vehicle.
Two males were inside the Expedition, according to the complaint.
The driver allegedly stayed inside the vehicle.
The passenger allegedly tampered with the victim’s vehicle for about 12 minutes.
The complaint says items were placed into the rear of the suspect vehicle.
The Expedition began to leave, then backed up.
The passenger then allegedly removed the taillights from the victim’s vehicle.
Charges Filed In Mahnomen County
Authorities later contacted Aaron Keezer, the registered owner of the Expedition.
Keezer said he had sold the vehicle to French.
Authorities later identified French as the driver, according to the complaint.
The suspect vehicle was later seen parked at French’s residence.
The theft charge is listed under Minnesota Statute 609.52.
The vehicle tampering charge is listed under Minnesota Statute 609.546.
The property damage charge is listed under Minnesota Statute 609.595.
The gross misdemeanor theft count carries up to 364 days in jail.
It also carries a possible $3,000 fine, or both.
The charges are only accusations at this stage.
French is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
More case information may be available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
