Introduction and Welfare Check: Jonathon Michael Halko, Defendant herein, was an employee of the Cub Foods located at [ADDRESS REDACTED] in White Bear Lake, County of Ramsey, State of Minnesota. Defendant started out as a cashier at Cub Foods. Once Defendant quit his professional IT job, he became more available to work more hours at Cub Foods. Defendant eventually took over as the bookkeeper at the White Bear Lake Cub Foods. Defendant took over the bookkeeping role because he was a hard worker, and the store trusted him, according to the Defendant.
Additionally, the store lost trust in the previous bookkeeper. Defendant would go on to abuse the trust Cub Foods placed in him by using his position and unrestrained access to the store’s cash reserves to steal thousands of dollars. On March 1, 2024, Officer Torvik of the White Bear Lake Police Department was dispatched to the Cub Foods located in White Bear for a welfare check regarding Defendant. Other store employees reported to Officer Torvik that Defendant left work at about 4:15 AM on February 29, and that Defendant took a bunch of money with him.
Defendant was seen on cameras accessing the store’s money, pocketing the money, and then leaving Cub Foods. Cub Foods’ Director became concerned about Defendant when Defendant’s mother, BMS, called Cub Foods on February 29 looking for Defendant. BMS told the Director that Defendant left home on February 28 around 10:00 PM, and had not returned. BMS stated that Defendant does this sometimes when he is overwhelmed and drives around until he is of sound mind. Additionally, BMS indicated Defendant has a long history of gambling and alcohol abuse.
The Director asked Defendant’s girlfriend, DMC, about Defendant’s whereabouts. DMC indicated Defendant has been planning February 29 as his death day since back in November of 2023. DMC reported Defendant’s reasoning for wanting to kill himself on Leap Day was such that people would only have to think about his death every four years instead of every year. The Director also learned from another Cub Foods employee that Defendant had recently been frequenting Doc’s Landing, a bar in White Bear Lake.
It was reported that Defendant would sometimes even go to the bar before work. Theft by Swindle and Criminal Investigation: It was reported to Officer Torvik that Defendant was back home with his mother. Officer Torvik determined that the welfare check was therefore completed. The Director then indicated she would like to continue assisting police with a theft investigation. Cub Foods staff began working on assembling documentation, and compiling surveillance footage showing the thefts. Later, on March 2, 2024, Officer Torvik was alerted by a Cub Foods employee that the evidence was ready for collection.
Officer Torvik received a document of 25 “Brinks withdrawal slips” in Defendant’s name, as well as three CDs worth of video showing Defendant removing funds from the Cub Foods safe. Additionally, Cub Foods provided Officer Torvik a listing of confirmed losses. Subsequently, on March 6, 2024, a Cub Foods employee reported the estimated loss was closer to $38,000.00. A White Bear Lake Detective was assigned to the case on March 7, 2024. 4 ••-CR-••-•••• Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 11/24/2025 The assigned detective, Detective Paipoovong, reviewed the withdrawal slips that issued in Defendant’s name for unauthorized cash withdrawals.
