Fergus Falls Man Charged in $1,103 Fleet Farm Theft

Fergus Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — Leo William Elloyd Brown faces a felony theft charge in Otter Tail County.

Prosecutors allege Brown took more than $1,100 in auto parts while working at Fleet Farm.

The alleged thefts happened between January 29 and April 16, 2026.

Brown is charged with theft of movable property without the owner’s consent.

The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

A conviction could also bring a fine of up to $10,000.

Fleet Farm Reports Unpaid Auto Parts

The investigation began after a theft report involving Fleet Farm in Fergus Falls.

Loss prevention employee Melissa Barret told police Brown had worked as an automotive technician.

The complaint says Brown worked there from August 2025 until June 2026.

Barret alleged Brown used store auto parts on his personal vehicle without paying.

Employees could sometimes work on their vehicles during work hours, according to the complaint.

However, workers were still required to pay for any parts taken from the store.

Prosecutors say five transactions occurred between January 29 and April 16.

Another employee allegedly entered the items for Brown during those transactions.

The complaint says Brown never paid the resulting invoices.

The five invoices totaled $1,103.85.

Items allegedly included new tires, a radiator and other front-end vehicle parts.

Several employees later spoke with investigators about the transactions.

They allegedly confirmed seeing Brown use store parts on his personal vehicle.

The complaint says those employees did not see Brown pay for the items.

A service manager recalled Brown installing new tires on his vehicle.

According to the complaint, Brown had been expected to pay later.

The manager said payment could have come from a paycheck or credit card.

Prosecutors allege that payment was never made.

The complaint says Fleet Farm later contacted Brown about the unpaid balance.

Brown allegedly said he knew money was still owed.

He also allegedly said he could not pay the balance at that time.

Prosecutors claim Brown made no later payment toward the invoices.

The case is filed as Otter Tail County court file 56-CR-26-1958.

Public case information can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that have not been proven in court.

Brown is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.