Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji worker now faces a felony theft charge after police said he stole more than $2,300 in merchandise from his employer.
Charge Filed In Beltrami County
Court records say Rigoberto Venegas Carlos, 33, of Buhl, Idaho, is charged with theft of movable property without consent. Prosecutors say the thefts happened between March 15 and March 31, 2026.
The complaint says the case started on April 1, 2026. Police were called to a business on Paul Bunyan Drive NW in Bemidji. The report said an employee had stolen store property during overnight shifts.
What Investigators Say Happened
According to the complaint, Carlos first denied stealing anything. That changed during questioning. The complaint says he admitted the shoes on his feet were stolen from the store.
Investigators say Carlos later admitted taking many other items. Those items included a large amount of trading cards. The complaint says he first told officers he took items because they looked cool.
Later, the complaint says he gave a different reason. He said he stole to pay a debt tied to problems from his past. Authorities also said Carlos told them he no longer had the stolen goods.
The complaint says some of the merchandise was eaten inside the building. It also says other items were left along roadsides. Carlos allegedly said other people picked them up.
Possible Penalty And Case Status
The charge is a felony under Minnesota Statute 609.52. The complaint lists a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
The case was filed in the Minnesota District Court in Beltrami County. Additional public court information may also appear through the Minnesota Court Records Online system.
A criminal charge is only an accusation. Carlos is presumed innocent unless he is proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.