Becker County (trfnews.i234.me) – Two people face felony burglary charges after a reported break-in at a rural Lake Park home.
Court records say the case is filed in Becker County District Court.
Prosecutors have charged Brian Arthur Pyle, 28, of Moorhead, and Brandie Rochelle Anderton, 36, of West Fargo, with second-degree burglary.
According to the complaint, a Becker County deputy responded on November 25 to a burglary report near Lake Park, Minnesota.
A man told the deputy the home belonged to his uncle, who recently died. The property was supposed to be vacant.
Family members had placed a trail camera to watch the house. It showed a person carrying items to a vehicle.
The man and his father went to check the property. They say the door, usually locked, was standing open.
They walked in and saw a woman wearing a mask and a man without a mask inside the house.
Earlier camera images had shown the man wearing a mask, according to the complaint.
The family members questioned why the pair was inside the home. The man tried to leave.
The younger man went outside and took the keys from a white Chevy pickup, so the man could not drive away.
A brief struggle followed, but no punches were thrown. The complaint says the man, the woman, and their dog then left.
They apparently used a spare key to take the vehicle. The family later found a hat that seemed to belong to the woman.
The younger man told officials the male suspect looked like Brian Pyle. He added that he had not seen Pyle in years.
Inside the house, many items were moved or disturbed. The home was cluttered, so it was unclear if anything was missing.
Later that day, other officers stopped a Chevy Silverado that matched the description of the suspect truck.
Pyle was driving, and Anderton was the passenger, according to the complaint. Both were arrested on burglary charges.
The dog was taken to a local shelter. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Pyle denied the break-in. He said he and Brandie were “just driving,” even though there were near-blizzard conditions.
Second-degree burglary is a felony under Minnesota burglary law.
Court records say Pyle posted a $15,000 bond on November 27. He was released under standard conditions.
Those conditions include no alcohol or drug use, no contact with the reported victims, and all future court appearances.
His next hearing is set for December 8 before District Judge Gretchen Thilmony.
Records say Anderton posted $300 bail on November 26. She was also released with conditions.
Her conditions include no alcohol or drug use and appearing at all future hearings.
Her next court date is December 22 before District Judge Michael Fritz.
The charges are only accusations at this time. Pyle and Anderton are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
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