Baudette Woman Charged in $2,154 Dollar General Theft
Baudette (trfnews.i234.me) — Avalena Marie Christianson faces a felony theft charge after an investigation at a Baudette Dollar General.
Christianson, 22, is accused of taking more than $2,100 from store registers in March 2026.
The charge was filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District Court in Lake of the Woods County.
The allegations are contained in a criminal complaint and have not been proven in court.
Store Reports Missing Money
Authorities began investigating after Dollar General contacted law enforcement on April 15, 2026.
A company theft investigator reported concerns involving a former employee at the Baudette store.
Christianson worked at the store from December 2025 until March 27, according to the complaint.
Store officials reviewed surveillance video and financial records after receiving information about possible thefts.
The investigation focused on activity during March 25 through March 27.
Surveillance allegedly showed Christianson removing money from a register and setting some of it aside.
The complaint states she later walked toward a break room without surveillance cameras.
Investigators also reviewed register shortage reports from the three-day period.
Shortages Total More Than $2,100
Store records showed shortages totaling $2,154.63, according to the criminal complaint.
The reported shortages included $609.85, $797.08, and $747.70 across the three days.
Store officials provided investigators with financial records and surveillance footage.
Authorities later contacted Christianson about the allegations.
The complaint states she admitted taking money from the register during the three-day period.
Christianson reportedly estimated that she had taken about $500.
Investigators told her records showed more than $2,000 was missing.
The complaint states Christianson did not dispute that amount.
She reportedly said she was experiencing financial problems at the time.
She also said she planned to repay the money after finding another job.
Felony Theft Charge Filed
Christianson is charged with felony theft under Minnesota Statute 609.52.
The charge applies to property valued between $1,000 and $5,000.
A conviction could carry up to five years in prison.
The maximum fine is $10,000.
The case was filed with a summons in Lake of the Woods County District Court.
Public court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
Christianson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
