Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me<\/a>)<\/strong> \u2014 Fernando Perez Gutierrez faces a gross misdemeanor theft charge in Pennington County District Court.<\/p>\n Prosecutors allege Gutierrez used a former employer’s fuel account for personal purchases totaling $675.08.<\/p>\n The alleged transactions occurred between March 21 and July 9, 2026.<\/p>\n Gutierrez is charged with theft by swindle under Minnesota law.<\/p>\n The charge carries up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n The investigation began after Northern Pride learned about possible personal fuel charges.<\/p>\n A company manager contacted law enforcement on July 21, according to the criminal complaint.<\/p>\n The manager said a Cenex employee had questioned personal vehicles receiving fuel on the company account.<\/p>\n Northern Pride then obtained photographs from the 8th Street Cenex in Thief River Falls.<\/p>\n The images allegedly showed Gutierrez fueling his personal vehicle on July 2 and July 9.<\/p>\n Court records describe the vehicle as a black Chrysler 300 with several distinctive features.<\/p>\n The July 2 fuel purchase totaled $61.36, according to prosecutors.<\/p>\n The July 9 purchase totaled $61.17.<\/p>\n Investigators also reviewed other receipts dated between March 21 and July 9.<\/p>\n Those receipts were allegedly signed with the letters “N.P.I.” instead of Gutierrez’s name.<\/p>\n The complaint says the combined fuel charges totaled $675.08.<\/p>\n Gutierrez met with law enforcement on August 1, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n He said he had worked for Northern Pride<\/a> from 2012 until August 2025.<\/p>\n Gutierrez initially said he only used the company account while driving a company vehicle.<\/p>\n Investigators then showed him surveillance material and a receipt from the July 2 transaction.<\/p>\n The complaint says Gutierrez admitted charging fuel to the Northern Pride account.<\/p>\n He also allegedly admitted using the account for fuel since around March 2026.<\/p>\n Gutierrez told investigators he needed gas, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n He also asked how much he owed because he wanted to repay Northern Pride.<\/p>\n Gutierrez reportedly acknowledged that the handwriting on the receipts was his.<\/p>\n Prosecutors charged Gutierrez under Minnesota Statute 609.52<\/a>.<\/p>\n The statute includes theft by swindling to obtain another person’s property or services.<\/p>\n The complaint lists the offense as a gross misdemeanor.<\/p>\n The case is filed as State of Minnesota v. Fernando Perez Gutierrez.<\/p>\n The court file number is 57-CR-26-563 in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.<\/p>\n Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n The complaint contains allegations and does not establish Gutierrez’s guilt.<\/p>\n Gutierrez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\nSuspected Fuel Charges Reported<\/h2>\n
Former Employee Interviewed<\/h2>\n
Theft Charge Filed<\/h2>\n