Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) — Prosecutors have filed a felony theft charge in Beltrami County District Court after a reported shoplifting incident at Kohl’s in Bemidji, according to court records in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.
The complaint names Karin Fairbanks, born Jan. 19, 1967, of Bemidji, Minnesota, as the defendant.
Felony Theft Charge
Fairbanks is charged with one felony count of theft, court records say.
The complaint alleges the value of the merchandise was more than $1,000.
What Court Records Say Happened
Court records say police were called on Jan. 4, 2025, to Kohl’s in Bemidji for a reported shoplifter.
The complaint says a Kohl’s employee recognized Fairbanks from prior incidents.
Records state the employee reported a pattern of going into a fitting room and hiding items in a purse or pockets before leaving.
In this case, the complaint says the employee alerted police after Fairbanks walked past the points of sale with unpaid items.
Court records say an officer approached Fairbanks and escorted her back into the store.
The complaint alleges Fairbanks removed unpaid merchandise from her purse and from inside her clothing.
Records also state she was wearing several pairs of pants she did not enter the store with.
Value Reported in Complaint
The complaint lists the total value of the merchandise as $2,068.73.
Readers can review Minnesota theft laws at the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Court case information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.