On October 19, 2025, Blaine Police were dispatched to the Target in Blaine, Anoka County, on a report of shoplifting. Store security stated that a woman had filled a cart with merchandise totaling $890.61, and attempted to leave the store without paying. She was initially apprehended and the merchandise was recovered, but the woman fled on foot, dropping her phone in the process. Store security also reviewed footage and saw the same woman committing a return fraud the day before, on October 18, where the woman had taken several items off the sale floor, then "returned" them without a receipt.
She received $183.84 in store credit for this fraudulent return, bringing the total loss to $1,074.85. Store security and law enforcement ultimately identified the woman as Defendant Nicole Jeanine Higgins ([DOB REDACTED]), based on her recent participation in a number of other Target thefts throughout the metro area. Defendant carried the same distinctive backpack during her thefts, and the Blaine surveillance footage matched Defendant's most recent booking photo. This is the fifth time that Defendant has been charged with theft in 2025 alone.
Consequently, the State respectfully requests that a warrant issue with this complaint.
