Mahnomen Man Charged After Mail Carrier Spots Theft

MAHNOMEN, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Michael Thomas Little, 21, faces a felony mail theft charge after a Costco package was allegedly stolen from a Mahnomen residence.

According to a Mahnomen County criminal complaint, a mail carrier witnessed a man taking a package shortly after delivery.

Police later identified Little through casino surveillance footage and recovered the missing package.

The incident occurred October 7, 2026, along Casino Road in Mahnomen.

Mail Carrier Reports Package Theft

At approximately 8:39 a.m., Mahnomen police responded to a stolen package report at 615 Casino Road.

Mail carrier Mark Nysetvold told investigators he had delivered a Costco box to the residence.

According to the complaint, a man approached Nysetvold while he was attempting to place the package inside a mailbox.

The man reportedly started a conversation about the mail carrier’s vehicle and its passenger-side driving position.

Because the package would not fit inside the mailbox, Nysetvold carried it toward the house.

The man allegedly followed him up the driveway while continuing their conversation.

After delivering mail nearby, Nysetvold turned around and noticed the man approaching the residence again.

According to court documents, the man picked up the Costco package and walked through the backyard.

Suspect Spotted Near Railroad Tracks

The mail carrier reported seeing the man cross railroad tracks south of the residence.

Nysetvold provided police with a description of the man and his clothing.

He also recalled seeing the man eating from a bag of chips.

Officers searched the surrounding area but initially could not locate the individual.

Casino Surveillance Helps Identify Suspect

Investigators then reviewed security footage from a nearby casino.

According to the complaint, surveillance showed a man matching the mail carrier’s description.

The footage also showed the man carrying a bag of chips.

Police traced his movements through the casino footage and identified him as Michael Thomas Little.

Investigators then traveled to Little’s Mahnomen residence to question him about the missing package.

Police Recover Stolen Costco Package

When officers contacted Little, he reportedly confirmed speaking with the mail carrier earlier that morning.

According to court documents, Little initially denied touching the delivered package.

However, he later acknowledged having the package and provided it to police.

Investigators reported that the recovered box contained hair supplies.

Police returned the package to the Casino Road residence.

The complaint also states that Little provided a preliminary breath sample showing an alcohol concentration of 0.11.

No separate alcohol-related criminal charge appears in the supplied complaint.

Felony Mail Theft Charge Filed

Little faces one felony count of mail theft under Minnesota Statute 609.529.

Prosecutors allege he intentionally removed mail belonging to another person without a lawful claim.

The complaint lists a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

The case is filed under Mahnomen County Court File No. 44-CR-26-613.

The complaint includes an order of detention in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

No upcoming court date or final case outcome appears in the supplied document.

Readers can search public court information through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The felony charge remains an allegation and does not establish guilt.

Little is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.