On December 9, 2025, Waite Park Police Officer Moore was dispatched to Fleet Farm, located on Division Street in the City of Waite Park, County of Stearns, State of Minnesota, for a shoplifter in progress. Officer Moore learned from Loss Prevention Officer, A. V., fully identified in the police reports, that he had observed the suspect male enter the store with his face partially covered and went to the hardware department wherein he selected two packages containing Milwaukee batteries. A. V. Then observed the male exit that aisle and enter into the adjacent aisle wherein he concealed the packages underneath his coat.
A. V. Observed the male seemed to be visually scanning the area around him and then he proceeded towards the exit of the store, passing all points of sale and left the store without making any attempts to pay for the concealed merchandise. A. V. Advised the electronic security sensors went off as the male passed through them and he and another manager approached the male outside of the store and identified themselves. A. V. Stated they advised the male to provide them the concealed merchandise and after multiple requests for him to do so, the male instead fled on foot through the parking lot towards the BP Gas Station.
Officers ultimately located the suspect male in the lobby of Groome Transportation. Officer Moore identified the male as David Roy Merritt, [DOB REDACTED], the defendant herein, and learned he had an active warrant for his arrest. The defendant admitted the batteries were in his backpack and Officer Moore recovered them and ultimately returned the batteries to Fleet Farm. A. V. Later advised the battery packs had a value of $299 a piece and the total aggregate value of the theft was $598.99. A review of the defendant's prior criminal history revealed he was previously convicted of Theft under Minn.
Stat. 609.52 in Stearns County District Court File No. ••-CR-••-•••• on August 21, 2025, and received a felony sentence. The defendant's current whereabouts are unknown, and the defendant does not have a permanent address; therefore, the State is requesting that a warrant be issued in this case. Complainant has reason to believe and does believe that all of the above information is true and correct. The above facts constitute your complainant has reason to believe and does believe that all of the above- named defendant, on or about the 9th day of December, 2025, in the City of Waite Park, County of Stearns, State of Minnesota, committed the offenses described herein.
