On August 27, 2025, an officer from the Fridley Police Department was dispatched to Gopher Sewer and Drain, located at 6319 Highway 65 NE, city of Fridley, county of Anoka, Minnesota, regarding a fraud report. Upon arrival, the officer met with owner, P. E. T., Victim herein, who reported that there was fraudulent activity on their bank account through Bridgewater Bank. Victim stated that the first transaction occurred on July 18, 2025, when a check for $217.83 was made out to a former employee, Luke Charles Lee Braun [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein.
Victim reported that the second transaction occurred on August 5, 2025, for $571.84, also made out to Defendant. Victim advised that Defendant started working for his business on May 14, 2025, and left the company on July 18, 2205. Victim also reported that neither of these checks were authorized and that Defendant was not permitted to issue checks to himself or to other employees. Upon review of Defendant's Old National Bank account, detectives observed that both checks had been deposited into Defendant's bank account.
Detectives also observed a signature on the back of the check for $217.83, which matched the signature on the account agreement for Defendant.
