NAYTAHWAUSH, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Callaway man faces a felony theft charge after fishing equipment valued at $1,570 allegedly disappeared from a boat at Pinehurst Resort in Mahnomen County.
Derek James Saunders, 35, of Callaway, is accused of stealing fishing tackle and equipment during an incident reported July 30, 2026.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Mahnomen County District Court, most of the stolen property was later returned after the victim contacted an acquaintance of Saunders.
Fishing Equipment Disappears From Resort Dock
On July 30, 2026, at approximately 9:43 a.m., a Mahnomen County deputy received a report of theft at Pinehurst Resort.
The reporting party, Ryan Mortenson, told investigators that his boat had been parked near a dock where gas tanks had also been stolen.
Mortenson discovered that several items of fishing equipment were missing from his boat.
According to court documents, the missing property included a tackle bag, fishing tackle, and specialized fishing equipment.
Stolen Fishing Gear Valued at $1,570
Mortenson provided investigators with an estimated value of the missing items.
- Green Plano soft tackle bag: $40
- Miscellaneous fishing tackle: $1,500
- LiveScope adapter part: $30
The combined value of the missing fishing equipment was $1,570.
The criminal complaint also references a separate investigation involving stolen gas tanks at the resort.
According to court documents, Saunders had admitted taking the gas tanks.
However, the current felony theft charge concerns the missing fishing equipment.
Victim Contacts Suspect’s Friend
Investigators received additional information about the missing property on August 5, 2026.
According to the complaint, Mortenson contacted Alfonso Pulido, an acquaintance of Saunders, seeking help recovering his fishing equipment.
Pulido reportedly agreed to speak with Saunders about returning the stolen items.
Shortly afterward, Saunders allegedly contacted Mortenson directly.
Mortenson told investigators that Saunders apologized for taking his belongings.
Video Call Shows Missing Fishing Tackle
According to court documents, Saunders sent Mortenson a photograph showing the stolen fishing equipment.
He also reportedly made a video call displaying the missing tackle boxes and fishing gear.
The communication helped arrange the return of the property.
Pulido later met Mortenson in Fargo, North Dakota, and returned the fishing equipment.
Mortenson reported receiving almost all his missing belongings.
The complaint does not specify which items, if any, remained missing.
Felony Theft Charge Filed
Prosecutors charged Saunders with one count of felony theft under Minnesota Statute 609.52.
The charge involves allegedly taking property valued at more than $1,000 but not more than $5,000 without the owner’s consent.
Under Minnesota law, the offense carries a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
Although most of the equipment was returned, prosecutors still filed the felony theft charge.
The charge does not establish that Saunders has been convicted of the offense.
Mahnomen County Court Case
The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 44-CR-26-580.
The criminal complaint lists a summons for Saunders.
The allegations stem from the July 30 incident at Pinehurst Resort.
Saunders is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Additional public court information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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