According to a Mahnomen County criminal complaint, a mail carrier witnessed a man taking a package shortly after delivery.<\/p>\n
Police later identified Little through casino surveillance footage and recovered the missing package.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred October 7, 2026, along Casino Road in Mahnomen.<\/p>\n
Mail Carrier Reports Package Theft<\/h2>\n
At approximately 8:39 a.m., Mahnomen police responded to a stolen package report at 615 Casino Road.<\/p>\n
Mail carrier Mark Nysetvold told investigators he had delivered a Costco box to the residence.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, a man approached Nysetvold while he was attempting to place the package inside a mailbox.<\/p>\n
The man reportedly started a conversation about the mail carrier’s vehicle and its passenger-side driving position.<\/p>\n
Because the package would not fit inside the mailbox, Nysetvold carried it toward the house.<\/p>\n
The man allegedly followed him up the driveway while continuing their conversation.<\/p>\n
After delivering mail nearby, Nysetvold turned around and noticed the man approaching the residence again.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, the man picked up the Costco package and walked through the backyard.<\/p>\n
Suspect Spotted Near Railroad Tracks<\/h2>\n
The mail carrier reported seeing the man cross railroad tracks south of the residence.<\/p>\n
Nysetvold provided police with a description of the man and his clothing.<\/p>\n
He also recalled seeing the man eating from a bag of chips.<\/p>\n
Officers searched the surrounding area but initially could not locate the individual.<\/p>\n
Casino Surveillance Helps Identify Suspect<\/h2>\n
Investigators then reviewed security footage from a nearby casino.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, surveillance showed a man matching the mail carrier’s description.<\/p>\n
The footage also showed the man carrying a bag of chips.<\/p>\n
Police traced his movements through the casino footage and identified him as Michael Thomas Little.<\/p>\n
Investigators then traveled to Little’s Mahnomen residence to question him about the missing package.<\/p>\n
Police Recover Stolen Costco Package<\/h2>\n
When officers contacted Little, he reportedly confirmed speaking with the mail carrier earlier that morning.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, Little initially denied touching the delivered package.<\/p>\n
However, he later acknowledged having the package and provided it to police.<\/p>\n
Investigators reported that the recovered box contained hair supplies.<\/p>\n
Police returned the package to the Casino Road residence.<\/p>\n
The complaint also states that Little provided a preliminary breath sample showing an alcohol concentration of 0.11.<\/p>\n
No separate alcohol-related criminal charge appears in the supplied complaint.<\/p>\n
Felony Mail Theft Charge Filed<\/h2>\n
Little faces one felony count of mail theft under Minnesota Statute 609.529<\/a>.<\/p>\n Prosecutors allege he intentionally removed mail belonging to another person without a lawful claim.<\/p>\n The complaint lists a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n The case is filed under Mahnomen County Court File No. 44-CR-26-613.<\/p>\n The complaint includes an order of detention in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.<\/p>\n No upcoming court date or final case outcome appears in the supplied document.<\/p>\n Readers can search public court information through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n The felony charge remains an allegation and does not establish guilt.<\/p>\n Little is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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