The case involves an electric bicycle valued at approximately $800.<\/p>\n
According to a criminal complaint, the bicycle went missing from Sunrise Apartments in Thief River Falls.<\/p>\n
The alleged theft occurred between September 19 and September 21, 2026.<\/p>\n
Resident Reports Missing $800 Electric Bicycle<\/h2>\n
Pettus Wayne told police he arrived home between 10 p.m. and midnight on September 19.<\/p>\n
He placed his e-bike in the apartment building’s laundry room near Door B, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n
When Wayne returned for the bicycle on September 21, it was gone.<\/p>\n
He reported the missing bicycle to the Law Enforcement Center around 3:05 a.m.<\/p>\n
Wayne told investigators the electric bicycle was worth approximately $800.<\/p>\n
Surveillance Video Leads Investigators to Suspect<\/h2>\n
Investigators obtained surveillance footage from the apartment owners on September 21.<\/p>\n
The criminal complaint states that the video showed Pirtle taking the bicycle from the laundry room.<\/p>\n
Police followed up the next day and learned Pirtle had moved away from the apartment complex.<\/p>\n
Investigators later located him at his workplace, Arctic Cat, in Thief River Falls.<\/p>\n
Several electric bicycles were visible there, but none matched the reported description, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n
Complaint Says Pirtle Acknowledged Taking Bicycle<\/h2>\n
During their conversation, an investigator questioned Pirtle about the reported theft.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, Pirtle acknowledged taking the electric bicycle.<\/p>\n
He reportedly explained that he believed the bicycle had been abandoned.<\/p>\n
However, Pirtle also acknowledged that he did not have permission from the owner to take it.<\/p>\n
The supplied complaint does not provide a recovery date or describe the bicycle’s current location.<\/p>\n
Gross Misdemeanor Theft Charge Filed<\/h2>\n
Prosecutors charged Pirtle with gross misdemeanor theft under Minnesota Statute 609.52<\/a>.<\/p>\n The charge alleges that Pirtle took property without permission and intended to permanently deprive the owner of it.<\/p>\n Under Minnesota law, theft involving property valued above $500 and up to $1,000 can be a gross misdemeanor.<\/p>\n A conviction can carry up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n Those are maximum possible penalties, not a sentence imposed in this case.<\/p>\n The criminal complaint lists court file number 57-CR-26-674<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The case falls under Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District Court in Pennington County.<\/p>\n No hearing date or final case outcome was included in the supplied complaint.<\/p>\n Readers can search for public case information through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n Some court documents may not be available through the online system.<\/p>\n The allegations have not been established as facts in court.<\/p>\n Pirtle is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\nPennington County Court Case Details<\/h2>\n
![\"Chase](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Chase-Alexander-Pirtle-1-1024x576.png\")
<\/a>