On April 2, 2026, at approximately 11:12 A.M., Wright County Deputy Skelton was dispatched to Wells Fargo Bank, [ADDRESS REDACTED], Monticello, Wright County, Minnesota for a report of fraudulent activity. Dep. Skelton learned that a black female, approximately 5'1" and wearing a black hoodie, jeans, and a black bag was attempting to open accounts in the name of Michelle Bourgeois. The suspect had presented a check made payable to Rochelle Cleave in the amount of $1741.00. Bank manager Shanna Stokes stated that after questioning her, the female took off running southbound down State Highway 25. It should be noted that deputies are aware that fraudulent checks in Michelle's name and her accounts are currently under alert as they have been hacked.
Deputies and Minnesota State Patrol searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect at that time. Deputy Grates responded to Wells Fargo while the search was ongoing and advised responding units that the female suspect had provided ID labeling her as Rochelle Denise Cleave, [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter the defendant. Dep. Skelton observed that the defendant, when viewed on myBCA, appeared to match eyewitness accounts of her leaving the bank. Dep. Skelton returned to the bank, spoke with Shanna further and learned that the defendant attempted the same crime earlier in the day at the Elk River branch of Wells Fargo.
The writing on the fraudulent check appeared to be similar handwriting to the signature on the defendant's MN ID card. Shanna stated that they have had multiple documented incidents with this same individual as she has attempted to cash fraudulent checks at multiple Wells Fargo locations. Dep. Skelton spoke with the bank teller who dealt with the defendant and stated that she came in with the check already written up and endorsed. The defendant provided her with a MN ID card as well as an OpenSky debit card with her name on it.
The teller stated that she believed the photo on the ID matched the female who provided them. Dep. Skelton viewed surveillance still shots of the suspect and observed her appearance to match the MN ID card previously observed. On 4/16/2026, Dep. Skelton received information from Security Agent J. Delgado with Wells Fargo, who advised that the suspect was identified through their investigation as Rochelle Denise Cleave, and is suspected in at least 7 incidents of similar nature at Wells Fargo branches throughout the state of Minnesota.
Dep. Skelton subsequently learned that the defendant was successfully apprehended by Two Harbors Police Department. He reviewed the Minnesota Repository of arrest photos (MRAP) and viewed the defendant's booking photo from Two Harbors. After viewing surveillance still shots from the Wells Fargo banks that she attempted to hit after the Wells Fargo in Monticello, her mugshot from 4/6/2026, and the still shots of her in this case; they all appeared to be the same woman.
