MOORHEAD, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Moorhead man faces two felony charges after allegedly stealing a pickup truck and threatening its owner.
Alberto Balderas Garza, 50, was charged in Clay County District Court with felony motor vehicle theft and threats of violence.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident happened August 6, 2026, in Moorhead.
Investigators allege Garza took a black Ford F-150 valued at approximately $3,000.
The complaint also accuses Garza of threatening to burn the truck with its owner inside.
Truck Owner Reports Alleged Theft
Moorhead police responded to a theft report at 800 Center Avenue on August 6.
According to court documents, the victim knew Garza and had previously discussed selling him the pickup truck.
The victim told investigators he encountered Garza, who entered his vehicle and forced several other occupants out.
The two men then returned to the victim’s apartment.
During their interaction, Garza allegedly grabbed the vehicle’s title and keys without permission.
The complaint describes the action as Garza snatching the items from the owner.
Owner Allegedly Forced Out of Pickup
According to the complaint, the victim later went to sleep in the bed of his pickup truck.
While he was there, Garza allegedly forced him out of the truck.
Garza then reportedly drove away in the vehicle without the owner’s consent.
Investigators identified the pickup as a black Ford F-150 worth approximately $3,000.
The complaint does not indicate whether the truck was later recovered.
Threat to Burn Truck and Owner Alleged
The criminal complaint also describes a threatening statement allegedly made during the incident.
Garza reportedly told the victim he would “burn the truck and you in it.”
Prosecutors allege the statement amounted to a felony threat of violence.
The charge involves threatening violence with intent to cause fear or reckless disregard for that risk.
The alleged threat and vehicle theft resulted in two separate felony counts.
Two Felony Charges Filed in Clay County
Garza faces one felony count of theft under Minnesota Statute 609.52.
The law prohibits intentionally taking another person’s property without permission and with intent to permanently deprive the owner.
The second felony charge involves threats of violence under Minnesota Statute 609.713.
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
These penalties are statutory maximums and do not represent a sentence imposed by the court.
Case Filed in Clay County District Court
The criminal complaint was filed under case number 14-CR-26-3913 in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.
The complaint was issued with a summons.
The provided court document does not establish whether Garza has entered a plea.
Additional case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Garza 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.
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