East Grand Forks: Johnson Charged in $1,810 Tool Theft

EAST GRAND FORKS (trfnews.i234.me) — A Twin Valley man faces a felony theft charge.

Bryce Adam Johnson, 31, is accused of taking equipment valued at approximately $1,810.10 on October 7, 2026.

Police later recovered several items near the Greenway, according to a Polk County criminal complaint.

Backpack Reported Missing Near DeMers Avenue

East Grand Forks police responded near Second Street Northwest and DeMers Avenue after receiving a theft report.

The property owner told officers he had left a backpack in an alley between Bernie’s and Mike’s Pizza.

Officers reviewed surveillance footage at River Cinema while investigating the reported theft.

The complaint says footage showed a person placing a weed trimmer and other property into a dumpster.

Investigators identified that person as Johnson, according to the charging document.

Two Craftsman yard tools were recovered from the dumpster, the complaint states.

Police Estimate Property Value at $1,810.10

On October 10, investigators obtained a detailed inventory and estimated prices from the property owner.

The total reported value of the equipment and other inventory was $1,810.10.

That estimate included a Craftsman electric weed trimmer and leaf blower valued together at $200.

Both yard tools had already been recovered, according to the police account.

The complaint does not provide a complete public breakdown of every listed item’s price.

Investigators Recover Items Near Greenway

Police located a blue tent near the river after receiving information about Johnson’s campsite.

Investigators reported seeing the owner’s Master Force backpack in plain view inside the unoccupied tent.

Officers recovered property from the site and later encountered Johnson on a nearby Greenway walking path.

According to the complaint, Johnson acknowledged taking tools and carrying some inside his backpack.

He initially said he believed the belongings were abandoned during a community cleanup period.

Johnson also told police he had not sold or distributed the property.

He said additional tools remained at his campsite, according to the criminal complaint.

East Grand Forks: Johnson Charged in $1,810 Tool Theft

Felony Theft Charge Filed in Polk County

Prosecutors charged Johnson with one felony count of theft of movable property without consent.

The charge cites Minnesota Statute 609.52, subdivisions 2(a)(1) and 3(3)(a).

The cited penalty applies when the property’s value exceeds $1,000 but does not exceed $5,000.

A conviction under this provision can carry up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine.

Those are maximum possible penalties, not a sentence in Johnson’s case.

The charge concerns alleged intentional theft; Johnson’s explanation remains part of the police account.

Case Filed October 12

The prosecution is filed as Polk County District Court case 60-CR-26-1497.

The related prosecutor file is F-26-189, and the police incident number is 26000585.

A public court-case index lists October 12, 2026, as the complaint filing date.

Readers can consult Minnesota Court Records Online for available filings and court updates.

The supplied complaint does not establish a plea, conviction, or final outcome.

Johnson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.