Red Lake Falls, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) A Red Lake Falls man is charged with felony theft after a woman said he kept her loaned car.
What the complaint alleges
In a statement of probable cause dated February 3, the woman said she loaned her car to Korbyn Charles Dale. She said Dale needed a ride to his home in Deer River. She said he did not have a vehicle.
The woman said the loan came with one condition. She said the car had to be returned by Sunday night, February 1. She said she needed it to take her daughter to school.
Police say the car was not returned as agreed. The woman provided one text message chain, the complaint states. The first messages began around 5:30 a.m. Monday. She sent several requests for the car.
In the texts, Dale first said he had taken a nap, police say. He later said he would arrive in a few minutes. He later claimed he went to a casino, the complaint states.
The messages resumed on February 3, according to the complaint. At about 12:53 p.m., Dale told the woman he had just woken up. He said he was on his way. Police say the vehicle still has not returned.
Timeline cited by investigators
- Before Feb. 1: The woman said she loaned the car for a trip to Deer River.
- Feb. 1 (Sunday night): The woman said the car was due back.
- Monday, 5:30 a.m.: Police say she texted asking for the return.
- Feb. 3, 12:53 p.m.: Police say he texted that he was “on the way.”
Charge filed
Dale is charged with felony theft. The charge is listed as intent to exercise control with indifference to the owner. A criminal complaint is not a conviction. Charges are allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
How to follow the case
Public case information is often available through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). Minnesota’s theft law is found in Minnesota Statute 609.52. The state also offers a public criminal history search for eligible records.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.