On September 26, 2025, at approximately 3:15pm, Grand Rapids Police Officers were dispatched to the Walmart store at 100 SE 29th Street, Grand Rapids, Itasca County, in regard to a reported theft. Walmart Loss Prevention reported that two (2) males had exited the store with two (2) full carts of merchandise without making any attempt to pay for the items. It was reported that the males pushed the carts to a van parked in the parking lot, unloaded the merchandise from the carts into the van, then departed the store.
The van was described as a gray Dodge minivan bearing Minnesota license plate [PLATE REDACTED]. A record check revealed the registered owner to be John James Baker of Keewatin. Dispatch advised law enforcement on the east side of the county to be on the look out for the suspect vehicle should it be returning to the Keewatin area. Nashwauk Police Chief Lee Longoria and Minnesota State Trooper Chad Kucza made contact with the suspect vehicle and initiated a traffic stop in Calumet, Itasca County at approximately 3:34pm.
Investigator Brian Mattson of the Grand Rapids Police Department then proceeded to the scene of the traffic stop where he initially met with one of the males, identified as Michael Paul Massi, who agreed to provide a Mirandized statement. Investigator Mattson showed him still photos from Walmart security video which reflected Massi pushing a cart full of goods out of the store. Massi told Investigator Mattson that he could not deny what was reflected in the photographs. He told Investigator Mattson that the following day was his birthday and he was going to throw a party.
He stated that he and the other suspect, John James Baker, went to Walmart and "got some stuff". Massi stated that he was broke due to being out of work for a while. He stated that he took various snacks, hamburgers, and hot dogs and a bag of dog food among other items. He stated that he had "a cart full of stuff - yes." He stated that the stuff he was taking "just kind of added up". He admitted that he made no attempt to pay for the items, because he was broke. He stated that he was not going to lie, that he had no intention of paying for the items.
Massi stated that the female party in the vehicle had no idea what was going on and played no part in the theft. He stated that Baker did the same thing as him, "just piled stuff into the cart and walked out". Investigator Mattson showed Massi a photo of Baker pushing a cart full of goods out of the store, which Massi acknowledged. Massi stated that he and Baker had discussed committing the Theft prior to going to Walmart. Massi stated that he brought it up and Baker went along with it. Investigator Mattson then interviewed Baker.
When said investigator asked Baker how life was treating him, Baker replied, "look at me man, I'm hungry - life is sucking." After Investigator Mattson read Baker the Miranda advisory, he showed him the surveillance photo of Baker pushing the cart out of Walmart. Baker acknowledged the photo and indicated that he had been with his friend "Mike" and his fiancee. He stated that he was hungry, his animals were hungry, and his fiancee was hungry. He stated that he had pushed out his cart without paying for anything, like a dummy.
