DETROIT LAKES, Minnesota — A Minnesota state senator is now facing charges in connection with a burglary at a Detroit Lakes home earlier this week.
On Tuesday, the Becker County Prosecutor’s Office charged Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, 49, with first-degree burglary.
Police say officers were called around 4:45 a.m. Monday to a residence near Granger Road and Long Avenue after the homeowner called 911 to report a burglary in progress.
Police say Mitchell was found inside, arrested and booked into the Becker County Jail.
Mitchell burglarized his stepmother’s house to get his dead father’s belongings, charges say
According to the criminal complaint, the house accused of burglary belonged to his mother-in-law.
The mother-in-law called the police to report that someone had broken into her home. When officers arrived, the suspect – later identified as Mitchell – ran into the basement.
Mitchell was wearing black clothing and a black hat when officers found her in the basement, according to the complaint. They found a flashlight with a sock and a black backpack nearby. The backpack contained two laptops, a cell phone, Tupperware and Mitchell’s identification documents.
Investigators said Mitchell told them his father had recently died and his stepmother did not want to talk to Mitchell or other family members.
“I was just trying to get some of my dad’s things because you wouldn’t talk to me anymore,” Mitchell told his stepmother during his arrest, according to the complaint.
The items Mitchell sought were “photos, a flannel shirt, ashes and other items of sentimental value,” the complaint states.
Mitchell allegedly gave police the same motive, also saying she had just “entered the house.”
“Obviously I’m not good at this,” she said, according to investigators, adding, “I know I did something wrong.”
Investigators said Mitchell entered the home through a basement window.
Police questioned Mitchell about one of the laptops found in her bag, which when turned on had the stepmother’s name on it. She said her mother-in-law gave it to her, which she denied.
Mitchell is scheduled to appear in court at 11 a.m. Tuesday. She remains in detention.
Lawmakers speak out and demand consequences
Mitchell is currently serving his first term as a state senator. A spokesperson for the Senate DFL Caucus said in a statement Monday that it was “aware of the situation” but would not comment.
Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, said in a statement that he was “shocked” by the news about his colleague.
“The public expects lawmakers to uphold high standards of conduct. As information is released, we expect the consequences to match the actions, both in court and in his role in office. in the Legislature,” Johnson said.
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Mitchell, who also served as a television meteorologist and commander of the Air National Guard, was elected in 2022 and is in the middle of her first term.
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