M. Winona Police Officers (Officers) were dispatched to a business located in the City and County of Winona, Minnesota, regarding a report of an active burglary at a storage unit. Dispatched advised Officers the owner (Witness) of the business property was watching live surveillance footage of two subjects walking around the units attempting to gain access. Witness reported the male subject was wearing a stocking cap, a black backpack, and was carrying bolt cutters. Dispatch remained on the line with Witness.
Witness reported he was still able to see the subjects, and they had begun walking east along Front Street, past St. Charles Street, and nearing High Forest Street along Front Street. As Officer arrived in the area, he received information that other Officers in the area had made contact with Travis Jeffrey Nation, [DOB REDACTED] (Defendant), and a female subject (Female). Officers first observed Defendant and Female walking westbound through the alleyway on St. Charles and Front Street. As Officer drove his squad car towards Defendant, Defendant and Female made a 180-degree turn, increased their pace and began walking in a manner suggesting they were trying to avoid Officer.
Officer then closed the distance between him and Defendant, activated his emergency lights, and told Defendant to approach the front of his squad car. Defendant immediately stuck his hands in his pocket and asked what he did. Officer informed Defendant he was under arrest. Officer read Defendant his Miranda rights. Defendant agreed to talk to Officer. Defendant told Officer he was out for a walk with his girlfriend. Initially, Defendant told Officer he was heading to see a friend who lived on Chatfield Street between Third and Fourth Streets.
Defendant then said he was originally coming from his girlfriend’s house located on Third Street, which would make their current location inconsistent with their travel path. Officer asked Defendant why he had made a 180-degree turn in the alley when he saw Officer. Defendant stated, “Well we saw you, and then either way, we were going to Kwik Trip.” Officer challenged Defendant’s story and told him they were going to find the things and tools he tossed along the way. Defendant replied, “I know.” Officer asked Defendant about the tool bag Officers had recovered.
Defendant stated all the tools should still be in the bag. Defendant further described the bag as a “Masterforce” brand and stated it contained Masterforce tools and also some DeWalt drills and other random tools. Officers asked Defendant about attempted entries into the storage units. Defendant intially claimed to know nothing about any attempted entries into the storage units. 3 ••-CR-••-•••• Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 12/4/2025 Officers questioned him further. Defendant then told Officers he was actually visiting a friend who he believed was working on a vehicle in or outside a storage unit.
