On March 26, 2026, at approximately 4:19 P.M., a police officer was dispatched to a department store in Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota. The reporting party stated that two individuals appeared to be smoking something off tinfoil in a vehicle. The reporting party then stated that one of the individuals had entered the department store. A police officer spoke with the individual (Witness 1) in the vehicle, who was identified. Witness 1 stated that she and NICHOLAS ARTHUR TRUNNELL [DOB REDACTED] were arguing.
Witness 1 then stated that she knew nothing about the vehicle. The police officer then performed a record check on the vehicle and learned that it had been reported stolen. Witness 1 claimed that she was unaware that the vehicle was stolen, and that TRUNNELL had picked her up in the vehicle earlier that day. The vehicle was inventory searched and towed. A police officer went into the department store and located TRUNNELL. The police officer arrested TRUNNELL, who had several active warrants. During a search incident to arrest, the police officer located several vials with a white crystal- like substance.
TRUNNELL claimed the substance was methamphetamine. The substance was later NIK-tested and determined positive for methamphetamine with a net weight of 0.17 grams. A police officer also located five credit cards and six personal checks – none of which belonged to TRUNNELL An investigator followed up with the owners of the credit cards and checks. The investigator confirmed that the owners were real people and was able to speak with five of them. Victim 1 confirmed that he lost his wallet and debit card approximately two months previously.
Victim 2 confirmed that he lost his wallet and debit card approximately two weeks previously. Victim 3 confirmed that one of the checks belonged to her and did not know how TRUNNELL came to possess it. Victims 4 and 5 confirmed that two of the checks belonged to them and that the check appeared to have been forged in the amount of $625.00 to be paid to TRUNNELL. None of the victims knew TRUNNELL. TRUNNELL has a prior conviction for fifth-degree drug possession in court file no.: ••-CR-••-••••.
