Crow Wing County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Brainerd man is facing a felony theft charge. Prosecutors say he sold a pickup, then kept it.
Donald Joel Aleman Sr, 64, is charged with Theft of a Motor Vehicle. The charge cites Minnesota Statute 609.52.
What investigators say happened
According to the complaint, the case began on September 29, 2025. Breezy Point police received a report about a stolen 2000 Dodge Dakota.
The buyer told police he paid $4,000 for the truck about a month earlier. The complaint says the deal happened on Ski Chalet Drive in Breezy Point.
The buyer said the title was transferred to him. He also said Aleman asked to keep the truck for work.
The complaint says Aleman told the buyer he “needed the money really bad.” The buyer said he agreed to wait for the truck.
The buyer later said calls and texts went unanswered. He said the silence lasted for nearly a month.
Authorities entered the truck as stolen in the National Crime Information Center. NCIC is used by law enforcement nationwide.
Truck found in another county
Beltrami County deputies later located the truck, court records say. The complaint says Aleman was driving the vehicle.
Investigators say he knew the buyer wanted it back. The complaint says he claimed he wanted to fix issues first.
Prior case noted in records
Court documents also reference a 2021 conviction involving motor vehicle theft. The filing describes similar circumstances.
Records say Aleman promised to repair a friend’s vehicle in that case. Records say the vehicle was not returned.
What happens next
The case was filed in Crow Wing County District Court on January 27, 2026. Aleman was charged by summons, according to the complaint.
Charges are allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
More details about NCIC are published by the FBI at fbi.gov. Public case access information is available from the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.