Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji woman is facing a felony theft charge after a reported shoplifting incident at Kohl’s.
Verna Leigh Fairbanks has been charged in Beltrami County District Court with felony theft. The case is filed under court file number 04-CR-26-785.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident happened on or about December 15, 2025. The complaint says police were called to Kohl’s in Bemidji at about 7:45 p.m.
Complaint Alleges Items Were Taken From Store
Store staff reported that a female suspect placed items into a shopping cart. The complaint says the person then left the store without paying.
Investigators later reviewed store video, according to the complaint. The video allegedly showed Verna Leigh Fairbanks placing several items into a cart. The complaint says she then left the store without paying for the items.
A receipt listed the value of the merchandise at $627.95, according to the complaint.
Charge Carries Possible Prison Time
Fairbanks is charged under Minnesota Statute 609.52. The charge alleges theft of movable property without consent.
The complaint also states that the value was more than $500. It further says Fairbanks has a prior felony theft-related conviction within five years.
The maximum penalty listed in the complaint is five years in prison. The charge also carries a possible $10,000 fine, or both.
The complaint says Fairbanks was previously convicted of felony motor vehicle theft in July 2022. It also lists other prior convictions in Beltrami County cases.
Court records and future hearing information may be available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch case records system.
A criminal complaint is not a conviction. Fairbanks is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
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