Thief River Falls Man Charged in $675 Fuel Theft

Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — Fernando Perez Gutierrez faces a gross misdemeanor theft charge in Pennington County District Court.

Prosecutors allege Gutierrez used a former employer’s fuel account for personal purchases totaling $675.08.

The alleged transactions occurred between March 21 and July 9, 2026.

Gutierrez is charged with theft by swindle under Minnesota law.

The charge carries up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Suspected Fuel Charges Reported

The investigation began after Northern Pride learned about possible personal fuel charges.

A company manager contacted law enforcement on July 21, according to the criminal complaint.

The manager said a Cenex employee had questioned personal vehicles receiving fuel on the company account.

Northern Pride then obtained photographs from the 8th Street Cenex in Thief River Falls.

The images allegedly showed Gutierrez fueling his personal vehicle on July 2 and July 9.

Court records describe the vehicle as a black Chrysler 300 with several distinctive features.

The July 2 fuel purchase totaled $61.36, according to prosecutors.

The July 9 purchase totaled $61.17.

Investigators also reviewed other receipts dated between March 21 and July 9.

Those receipts were allegedly signed with the letters “N.P.I.” instead of Gutierrez’s name.

The complaint says the combined fuel charges totaled $675.08.

Gutierrez met with law enforcement on August 1, according to the complaint.

He said he had worked for Northern Pride from 2012 until August 2025.

Gutierrez initially said he only used the company account while driving a company vehicle.

Investigators then showed him surveillance material and a receipt from the July 2 transaction.

The complaint says Gutierrez admitted charging fuel to the Northern Pride account.

He also allegedly admitted using the account for fuel since around March 2026.

Gutierrez told investigators he needed gas, according to the complaint.

He also asked how much he owed because he wanted to repay Northern Pride.

Gutierrez reportedly acknowledged that the handwriting on the receipts was his.

Prosecutors charged Gutierrez under Minnesota Statute 609.52.

The statute includes theft by swindling to obtain another person’s property or services.

The complaint lists the offense as a gross misdemeanor.

The case is filed as State of Minnesota v. Fernando Perez Gutierrez.

The court file number is 57-CR-26-563 in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The complaint contains allegations and does not establish Gutierrez’s guilt.

Gutierrez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.