Moorhead, Clay County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Moorhead man is facing a felony theft charge. The allegation involves a reported theft at Runnings in Moorhead.
Charge and allegation
Court documents dated Jan. 24, 2026, identify Loren J. Smith of Moorhead. The documents list a felony theft charge.
The complaint says surveillance video captured the incident. It describes Smith pushing a cart of merchandise toward a rear exit.
The filing says the cart went out the back door of Runnings. It also lists the items police say were taken.
- Two coats
- One hoodie
- One chainsaw
Court papers list the total value as $2,76. The filing describes the items as unpaid merchandise.
The complaint describes the cart as “loaded” with goods. It says the suspect left through a back door.
Arrest and online listing
An officer later arrested Smith at his residence, the complaint says. The documents do not include any officer names.
The complaint says Smith spoke with police after the arrest. He told the officer he was the person who listed the chainsaw online.
The listing was on Facebook Marketplace, according to the filing. The documents provided do not describe the listing details.
It was not stated whether the items were recovered. The complaint summary provided did not address that point.
How the case moves forward
A criminal complaint is an allegation, not a conviction. Prosecutors must prove the charge in court.
A judge can set future hearings and conditions of release. Those steps can vary by case.
Online listings can play a role in theft cases. Investigators may compare listings with reported stolen property.
Case status and public records
Felony theft is a serious charge under Minnesota law. Penalties can depend on value and other factors.
For general background, readers can review the Minnesota theft statute. Public case access is also available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
Smith is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. A court date was not included in the information provided.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.