On December 10, 2025, at approximately 10:36 A.M., Deputy Joe Burns of the Itasca County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the Wagon Wheel Court, Lot 2J, in Grand Rapids, Itasca County, in regard to a reported disturbance. The reporting party, later identified as M. E. K., told dispatch that he works for Commercial Asphalt Repair. He stated that he was calling to report that one of their employees failed to show up for work the previous day and had taken a company vehicle without permission. M. E. K. Stated that he and the business owner had traveled to the employee's listed address at Wagon Wheel Court, where they located the missing company vehicle parked outside the residence.
M. E. K. Stated that he was blocking the company vehicle in with his own vehicle to prevent it from being removed. Upon arrival at the scene, Deputy Burns observed three adult males standing outside the trailer. One was identified as the reporting party, M. E. K, a second male was identified as the owner of Commercial Asphalt Repair, D. L. R. And the third was identified as the suspect, Charles Ian Daugherty. Deputy Burns initially spoke with M. E. K. And D. L. R. Who both advised that Daugherty had only worked for Commercial Asphalt Repair for one day.
They stated he never had permission to use the company vehicle. D. L. R. Stated that company practice is to keep keys inside the vehicle on company property so that employees authorized to use the vehicles do not need to locate keys in the office. D. L. R. Stated that Daugherty was never authorized to take or use any company vehicle under any circumstances. He stated that he wished to pursue charges against Daugherty for motor vehicle theft. Deputy Burns then spoke with Daugherty, who admitted to taking the vehicle without asking and without permission.
He stated that he knew what did was wrong and that he was willing to accept the consequences. Daughery stated that he only drove the vehicle a short distance from the Commercial Asphalt Repair shop to his residence at Wagon Wheel Court. He stated that he only put a few miles on the vehicle. Due to Daugherty's cooperativeness at the scene, Deputy Burns advised him that charges for motor vehicle theft would be forwarded to the County Attorney's Office, but that he would not be arrested at that time.
D. L. R. Drove the vehicle back to his business. After leaving the scene, Deputy Burns was contacted again by D. L. R. Who wished to report additional crimes committed by Daugherty. D. L. R. Stated that while Daugherty was driving the company truck without permission, he attempted to use a company WEX fuel card at Pokegama Lake Store to make a transaction. He stated that company employees are only issued a PIN for the card after working for the company for a certain period of time, in which Daugherty had not been issued a PIN, resulting in the 3 31-CR-26-19 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 1/5/2026 attempted transaction being declined.
