David Mark Kelsey

On March 17, 2026, officers of the Apple Valley Police Department were dispatched to a retail store on Pilot Knob Road in the City of Apple Valley, County of Dakota, Minnesota, for a shoplifting. Loss prevention employees had observed the suspect, identified as David Mark Kelsey, [DOB REDACTED], (hereinafter “Defendant”), under-ringing items at the self-checkout of the store. Loss prevention employees were also aware that Defendant had a recent history of under-ringing items at the store. Loss prevention employees identified eight occasions from January 19, 2026, through March 17, 2026, in which Defendant can clearly be seen on surveillance removing items from his shopping cart and scanning some while bypassing others past the checkout scanner and concealing them within shopping bags.

Defendant can be seen observing the check-out screen, where it would be apparent that the items were not scanned. Many of the items not scanned were expensive items and collector trading cards. The total value of the merchandise Defendant did not scan at the registers and took without paying for is as follows: January 19, 2026: $99.23 February 9, 2026: $107.93 February 15, 2026: $172.97 February 19, 2026: $163.81 February 22, 2026: $82.16 March 3, 2026: $166.17 March 10, 2026: $138.52 March 17, 2026: 108.88. After reviewing all eight thefts, Defendant failed to scan 69 items, totaling $1,039.67 in retail value within two months.

Officers asked Defendant if he had taken the items because he was having a hard time affording them, and Defendant admitted, “Partly, yeah.” Defendant further stated, “I’m not lying about it.” Defendant had his young child [NAME REDACTED], so officers made the decision to release him pending charges.