Detroit Lakes (trfnews.i234.me) — Two people are now charged after two alleged thefts at the Detroit Lakes Walmart. Court records say the cases happened in October and December of 2025.
Melissa Ortiz, of West Fargo, is charged with felony theft. Jeffery Soular, of Fargo, is also charged. Court records name a third male suspect. No charges were listed for him yet.
What investigators say happened
According to the complaints, the store’s video shows the group filling carts with items. The reports say they walked toward a fire door. The door opened, and the carts went outside. The group then left.
Investigators say the same method was used in both incidents. The October case and the December case are separate files. Both are tied to the same Detroit Lakes store.
Dollar amount and evidence
Court documents say the two thefts totaled more than $6,100 in merchandise. The complaints say the items were not paid for. The reports also say the events were captured on surveillance video.
Retail theft cases often depend on video and store reports. Prosecutors must show who took the items. They must also show the value of the loss.
Felony theft charges can bring serious penalties in Minnesota. You can read the theft law in Minnesota Statute 609.52. The Revisor of Statutes posts the full text online.
The charges are allegations. Ortiz and Soular are presumed innocent in court.
Minnesota Statute 609.52 (Theft)
How to follow the case
The cases are expected to move through Becker County court in Detroit Lakes. The Minnesota Judicial Branch offers a public case search tool. It lets people look up filings by name.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) case search
More court location details are posted on the state court website. It includes contact information for Becker County.
Becker County District Court information
The incidents were reported at a Walmart store in Detroit Lakes. Walmart posts company and customer help information online.
Walmart corporate site | Walmart store feedback page
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.