On or about October 5, 2025, Moorhead Police Department Officer S. Griego responded to a report of a theft that occurred at 800 2nd Ave. N. In Moorhead, located in Clay County, MN. There, it was reported by the victim [NAME REDACTED], J. E. P., that two individuals had stolen his backpack. J. E. P. Reported that he knew one of the individuals as 'Josh', but did not know a last name. J. E. P. Reported that he went to the location to meet with 'Josh' and the other individual. While speaking with them, he placed his bag on the sidewalk and walked away briefly to retrieve a second bag to provide one of the individuals with a bike light for their bike.
When J. E. P. Looked back, he noticed that his bag was now missing. J. E. P. Pursued the individuals on his bike but eventually crashed attempting to stop them. J. E. P. Further reported that the bag contained multiple items, including a laptop, Beats headphones, and a IPhone 16 Pro. The total value of the items in the bag was estimated to be over $2,000. A few hours later, Officer Griego noticed an individual matching the description of the person that was with 'Josh' and stopped him. The individual identified himself as AARON DEAN ADAMS [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter the Defendant.
The individual admitted to knowing Josh and being present for the theft. The Defendant indicated that after J. E. P. Walked away, 'Josh' told him to go, and he began biking away. Surveillance footage of the incident shows the individual identified only as 'Josh' bend over and pick up the bag in front of the Defendant and place it in a trailer behind the Defendant's bike. The Defendant and 'Josh' then bike off together. J. E. P. Later ran into 'Josh', and was able to recover some of the stolen items.
Some of the items, including his phone and numerous chargers, were not recovered. The phone alone was estimated to be valued at $1,200. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49., intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges, and in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.
