East Grand Forks, Polk County (trfnews.i234.me) — Police say they found a man in a stolen car. The car was in a restaurant lot.
Michael Jason Morgal, 43, of Conway, South Carolina, is charged in Polk County. He faces felony receiving stolen property.
What the police say happened
Police got the stolen vehicle report around 9:29 p.m. on February 15, 2026. The complaint says the theft happened in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
The vehicle was a 2006 white Chevrolet Cobalt, police say. The complaint says it was taken from a grocery store parking lot.
About 15 minutes later, officers found the car in East Grand Forks. It was parked at Burger King, 926 Central Avenue NW.
Police say one person was in the driver’s seat. Officers identified him as Morgal.
The complaint says Morgal admitted to taking the car in downtown Grand Forks. Police say he drove over the Kennedy Bridge into Minnesota.
Police say Morgal told them he was trying to reach Crookston. The complaint says he did not know the owner.
He told officers he “just picked the vehicle,” the complaint states. Police say he stopped to check if it ran well.
Officers contacted the registered owner, the complaint says. Police say the owner said Morgal had no permission.
Court and bail
Morgal appeared in Polk County District Court after the arrest. Judge Jon A. Maturi set bail with several options.
- $200 cash bail with conditions
- $2,000 non-cash bond with conditions
- $10,000 bond without conditions
The charge is an accusation. Morgal is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Alleged offense date: February 15, 2026.
Court filing date: February 17, 2026.
More information
- Minnesota Judicial Branch case search
- Minnesota theft law (includes receiving)
- Polk County, Minnesota
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.