Detroit Lakes ATV Deal Leads to Felony Charge

Detroit Lakes (trfnews.i234.me) — A Moorhead man was charged after a $35,999 side-by-side purchase in Detroit Lakes.

A Becker County complaint names Robert Eugene Canada Jr. in one felony theft count.

The complaint carries court file number 03-CR-25-1984.

Prosecutors allege Canada used a business check to obtain the off-road vehicle on July 15, 2024.

The purchase took place at U Motors, according to the complaint.

Complaint Details ATV Purchase

The check came from an account for A Star Above Developers, LLC.

The complaint alleges the account lacked enough money when Canada issued the check.

Dealership staff reported the check to the Becker County Sheriff’s Office on July 22, 2024.

Investigators later spoke with Canada while he was held in the Clay County Jail on another matter.

Canada said he bought the vehicle with the business check, according to the complaint.

He also said he knew the account lacked enough money at that time.

Canada reportedly expected new funds to arrive the following Monday or Tuesday.

Canada told investigators the side-by-side was parked at a property along Highway 10.

Investigators later recovered the vehicle’s keys from another person in Moorhead.

That person disputed Canada’s claim that they were business partners.

The person said they only helped Canada with basic work, including mowing grass.

They also said they lacked the money to finance Canada’s business plans.

The complaint lists a maximum sentence of 20 years, a $100,000 fine, or both.

A maximum penalty does not predict the sentence in any individual case.

Prosecutors requested a warrant instead of a summons.

They cited concerns that Canada might not appear and that his location was uncertain.

The filing also notes two bench warrants issued on January 13, 2025.

Those warrants involved reported failures to appear in separate cases.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

Canada is presumed innocent unless convicted through the court process.

Readers can search public case information through Minnesota Court Records Online.

I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.