On or about June 15, 2026, the Chief of Police of the Milaca Police department took a report of a burglary that had occurred at a service station in Milaca, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota. The Chief spoke with the reporting party, J. L., an adult male fully identified in police reports. J. L. Is the owner of the service station, and reported that sometime between 7:30 P.M. On June 14, and 5:30 A.M. On June 15, someone had gained access to the service station and stole cash and bank checks from the front desk.
J. L. Stated he was sure that the station was locked the prior evening, and when he came to the station the morning of June 15, he noticed the main door was now unlocked. The Chief noticed no signs of forced entry. Given that it appeared someone used a key to enter, J. L. Believed it to be an employee of the station. The Chief advised J. L. To review surveillance footage. Later, the Chief was contacted by S. P., an adult female fully identified in police reports. S. P. Works at the front desk of the station.
S. P. Stated she had found the suspect on surveillance footage. The Chief reviewed the footage and noticed at approximately 1:50 A.M. On June 15, the suspect is seen crossing west through a yard just south of the business, then walking north on Central Avenue to the front door of the station. The suspect then was seen reaching into their pocket, retrieving something, then manipulating the door handle as if they were unlocking it. The suspect then entered the business and immediately went behind the desk where the till and drawer holding the cash were located.
They remained at the till for approximately three minutes before leaving and running south from the business. Both J. L. And S. P. Recognized the suspect and identified him as CHARLES CURTIS BITTNER [DOB REDACTED]. Both informed the Chief that BITTNER had worked at the business until May 21, 2026, and that although he turned in his key when he quit, he could have had a second key or utilized a lock box outside that employees are given the code to. J. L. Provided a recorded statement. J. L. Stated that he recognized BITTNER due to him having worked for the business for about a year and a half, and is aware of his body language, gate, and how he walks.
He also noted the individual in the video appeared to wear shoes with the “Heydude” logo on them, and remembered having to send BITTNER home on multiple occasions for wearing “Heydudes” because they were not proper shoes for a mechanic’s shop. S. P. Provided a recorded statement. S. P. Stated she was familiar with how BITTNER walked, consistent with the subject on surveillance. S. P. Also stated that BITTNER had come to the shop on the morning of June 15, and pumped gas. While pumping gas, BITTNER had a conversation with S. P. About how he had just worked an overnight shift at the Princeton Walmart.
