Battle Lake Worker Charged in Bait Shop Theft

Battle Lake (trfnews.i234.me) — A Fergus Falls man faces a theft charge involving a local bait shop.

Colton Roger Shjerve is charged in Otter Tail County District Court. The case is listed under court file 56-CR-26-1340.

The complaint alleges Shjerve took cash and store items from Ben’s Bait. The alleged losses happened between December 2025 and May 2026.

Court records place the combined value at $511.96. The charge covers property valued above $500 but below $1,000.

Earlier Cash Losses Alleged

The complaint says Shjerve worked at Ben’s Bait in Battle Lake. Investigators learned about two earlier cash losses from the register.

Those incidents allegedly happened in December 2025 and January 2026. The complaint places the combined cash loss at $420.

Shjerve allegedly admitted taking the cash and repaid the business. The owners then allowed him to keep working.

A new report reached the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office on May 6, 2026. It concerned items allegedly taken one day earlier.

The video allegedly showed Shjerve collecting a fishing rod, reel, tackle, and sweatpants. He scanned some items before canceling the sale.

The complaint says no payment was completed. Shjerve later gave the items to his girlfriend, who left with them.

Store owners checked their inventory and sales records. They found no completed purchase matching the items, according to the complaint.

Investigators interviewed Shjerve and his girlfriend on May 20. Shjerve first said he planned to use employee credit.

He later said he planned to pay during his next work shift. He also admitted that some tackle was not scanned.

The complaint says Shjerve contacted the owners later that day. He met with them, paid for the items, and apologized.

The May items were valued at $91.96. Combined with the earlier cash, the alleged total reached $511.96.

Shjerve faces one count of theft without the owner’s consent. The charge falls under Minnesota Statute 609.52.

A gross misdemeanor conviction can bring up to 364 days in jail. It can also carry a fine of up to $3,000.

More information about Minnesota court records is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

A criminal complaint contains allegations and does not prove guilt. Shjerve is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.