Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Thief River Falls man is facing new criminal charges. Police say a handgun and a Nintendo Switch were stolen. Investigators say both items were recovered.
Tanner Lyle Peterson, 32, of Thief River Falls, is charged in Pennington County District Court. The complaint was filed on January 28. Court records list felony theft and felony receiving stolen property. Records also list gross misdemeanor counts involving a pistol transfer report and firearm possession. A misdemeanor theft count was also filed.
What investigators say
According to the complaint, a resident spoke with law enforcement on December 19. He said Peterson had been staying with his son. He called Peterson his son’s former roommate. He said his son believed items were missing from the home.
The son told police he confronted Peterson on December 9. He said Peterson admitted to taking a Nintendo Switch. He said Peterson traded it for kratom. He said Peterson did not return to the home after that date.
Handgun reported missing
The son later told police he found a Ruger New Model Single-Six Convertible missing on December 19. He said it was kept in a case in a bedroom closet. The gun was described as a .22-caliber revolver.
Investigators later obtained a search warrant for Peterson’s phone, the complaint said. Police said the phone was left behind at the home. An investigator reported seeing an October 29 message about selling a gun. Police said the message included a photo of a cased revolver.
Pawn and firearm leads
Investigators contacted a man who knew Peterson from jail, the complaint said. The man told police Peterson asked him to pawn a Nintendo Switch. He said Peterson did not have an ID. Police said the man pawned a Zelda Nintendo Switch at Northern Gun & Pawn in Thief River Falls. The complaint said it happened between November 17 and November 27. The man told police he received $100. He said he gave the money to Peterson.
Investigators recovered the pawn receipt and the console, the complaint said. The reported victim later identified the Switch as his.
Police also reviewed a Snapchat conversation about a firearm sale, the complaint said. Investigators contacted another man in the chat. He said he and his roommate each paid Peterson $100 for a .22-caliber revolver. Police said the serial number shown in a photo matched the missing handgun. The man also provided a photo of a written purchase agreement. Police said it listed a November 19 sale date and a $200 price.
The man told investigators a friend was storing the gun in Middle River. Investigators later retrieved the revolver, the complaint said.
What’s next
Peterson was summoned to appear in court, according to court records. Charges are allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The complaint said Peterson has a July 2022 felony conviction for third-degree burglary.
Related resources
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
- Minnesota theft law (Minn. Stat. 609.52)
- Receiving stolen property law (Minn. Stat. 609.53)
- Firearm possession limits (Minn. Stat. 624.713)
- Report of transfer rules (Minn. Stat. 624.7132)
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.