Thief River Falls: Pirtle Charged in $800 E-Bike Theft

THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN (trfnews.i234.me) — Chase Alexander Pirtle, 26, faces a gross misdemeanor theft charge.

The case involves an electric bicycle valued at approximately $800.

According to a criminal complaint, the bicycle went missing from Sunrise Apartments in Thief River Falls.

The alleged theft occurred between September 19 and September 21, 2026.

Resident Reports Missing $800 Electric Bicycle

Pettus Wayne told police he arrived home between 10 p.m. and midnight on September 19.

He placed his e-bike in the apartment building’s laundry room near Door B, according to the complaint.

When Wayne returned for the bicycle on September 21, it was gone.

He reported the missing bicycle to the Law Enforcement Center around 3:05 a.m.

Wayne told investigators the electric bicycle was worth approximately $800.

Investigators obtained surveillance footage from the apartment owners on September 21.

The criminal complaint states that the video showed Pirtle taking the bicycle from the laundry room.

Police followed up the next day and learned Pirtle had moved away from the apartment complex.

Investigators later located him at his workplace, Arctic Cat, in Thief River Falls.

Several electric bicycles were visible there, but none matched the reported description, according to the complaint.

During their conversation, an investigator questioned Pirtle about the reported theft.

According to the complaint, Pirtle acknowledged taking the electric bicycle.

He reportedly explained that he believed the bicycle had been abandoned.

However, Pirtle also acknowledged that he did not have permission from the owner to take it.

The supplied complaint does not provide a recovery date or describe the bicycle’s current location.

Prosecutors charged Pirtle with gross misdemeanor theft under Minnesota Statute 609.52.

The charge alleges that Pirtle took property without permission and intended to permanently deprive the owner of it.

Under Minnesota law, theft involving property valued above $500 and up to $1,000 can be a gross misdemeanor.

A conviction can carry up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Those are maximum possible penalties, not a sentence imposed in this case.

The criminal complaint lists court file number 57-CR-26-674.

The case falls under Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District Court in Pennington County.

No hearing date or final case outcome was included in the supplied complaint.

Readers can search for public case information through Minnesota Court Records Online.

Some court documents may not be available through the online system.

The allegations have not been established as facts in court.

Pirtle is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.