Prosecutors allege Brown took more than $1,100 in auto parts while working at Fleet Farm.<\/p>\n
The alleged thefts happened between January 29 and April 16, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brown is charged with theft of movable property without the owner’s consent.<\/p>\n
The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.<\/p>\n
A conviction could also bring a fine of up to $10,000.<\/p>\n
Fleet Farm Reports Unpaid Auto Parts<\/h2>\n
The investigation began after a theft report involving Fleet Farm<\/a> in Fergus Falls.<\/p>\n Loss prevention employee Melissa Barret told police Brown had worked as an automotive technician.<\/p>\n The complaint says Brown worked there from August 2025 until June 2026.<\/p>\n Barret alleged Brown used store auto parts on his personal vehicle without paying.<\/p>\n Employees could sometimes work on their vehicles during work hours, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n However, workers were still required to pay for any parts taken from the store.<\/p>\n Prosecutors say five transactions occurred between January 29 and April 16.<\/p>\n Another employee allegedly entered the items for Brown during those transactions.<\/p>\n The complaint says Brown never paid the resulting invoices.<\/p>\n The five invoices totaled $1,103.85.<\/p>\n Items allegedly included new tires, a radiator and other front-end vehicle parts.<\/p>\n Several employees later spoke with investigators about the transactions.<\/p>\n They allegedly confirmed seeing Brown use store parts on his personal vehicle.<\/p>\n The complaint says those employees did not see Brown pay for the items.<\/p>\n A service manager recalled Brown installing new tires on his vehicle.<\/p>\n According to the complaint, Brown had been expected to pay later.<\/p>\n The manager said payment could have come from a paycheck or credit card.<\/p>\n Prosecutors allege that payment was never made.<\/p>\n The complaint says Fleet Farm later contacted Brown about the unpaid balance.<\/p>\n Brown allegedly said he knew money was still owed.<\/p>\n He also allegedly said he could not pay the balance at that time.<\/p>\n Prosecutors claim Brown made no later payment toward the invoices.<\/p>\n The charge falls under Minnesota Statute 609.52<\/a>.<\/p>\n The case is filed as Otter Tail County court file 56-CR-26-1958.<\/p>\n Public case information can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n A criminal complaint contains allegations that have not been proven in court.<\/p>\n Brown is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.<\/p>\n I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/p>\nFive Unpaid Invoices Alleged<\/h2>\n
Payment Discussed Before Employment Ended<\/h2>\n
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