BAXTER, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Brainerd man faces a criminal theft charge after allegedly stealing more than $700 in merchandise from Fleet Farm in Baxter.
According to court documents, Johnathan Bryan Higganbotham, 37, allegedly concealed merchandise worth $732.99 before leaving the store without paying.
The incident occurred on November 7, 2025, at the Fleet Farm store on Dellwood Drive.
Prosecutors have charged Higganbotham with gross misdemeanor theft in Crow Wing County District Court.
Police Respond to Fleet Farm Shoplifting Report
According to the criminal complaint, Baxter police were dispatched to Fleet Farm at approximately 10:23 a.m.
The reported incident occurred at 14114 Dellwood Drive in Baxter, Minnesota.
Upon arrival, an officer met with store loss prevention personnel regarding a suspected shoplifting incident.
Loss prevention employees identified Higganbotham as the individual suspected of taking merchandise without paying.
Store personnel reported that the concealed merchandise had a combined retail value of $732.99.
According to court documents, Higganbotham allegedly passed all checkout locations and exited the store without purchasing the items.
Surveillance Footage Reviewed
Investigators obtained information from Fleet Farm loss prevention staff during the investigation.
The responding officer later reviewed surveillance video from inside the store.
According to the complaint, the footage showed Higganbotham concealing merchandise before passing the store’s checkout areas without paying.
Investigators cited the surveillance footage as evidence supporting the theft allegation.
The criminal complaint does not identify the specific merchandise allegedly taken from the store.
Suspect Taken to Hospital After Arrest
Following the investigation, Higganbotham was arrested and transported to the Crow Wing County Jail.
However, jail staff advised that he needed medical clearance before he could be booked into custody.
The officer subsequently transported Higganbotham to the Essentia Health Emergency Department.
According to court documents, Higganbotham was released into the care of medical personnel.
Authorities advised him that criminal charges would be submitted through a formal complaint.
The complaint does not provide additional details about the medical evaluation.
Gross Misdemeanor Theft Charge Filed
Higganbotham faces one count of theft under Minnesota Statute 609.52, subdivision 2(a)(1).
The offense is classified as a gross misdemeanor because the alleged merchandise value exceeded $500 but did not exceed $1,000.
If convicted, Higganbotham could face up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
More information about Minnesota theft laws is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
The case is filed in Crow Wing County District Court under court file number 18-CR-26-3241.
The complaint was issued with a summons.
All allegations remain unproven. Higganbotham is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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