On March 17, 2026, at approximately 3:43 P.M., Deputy Nick O'Toole of the Itasca County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to [ADDRESS REDACTED] 137, Deer River, Itasca County, in regard to a reported vehicle theft. Said Deputy called and spoke with the reporting party, D. A. C., who indicated that her mother was in the hospital and she (D. A. C.) had been borrowing her mother's vehicle. D. A. C. Stated that she had parked the vehicle at the above address, but when she came back to the residence, the vehicle was gone.
While Deputy O'Toole was responding to the scene, D. A. C. Called back and stated that her sister, Laura Cronin [DOB REDACTED] may have taken the car and ran out of gas. D. A. C. Stated that she had learned this information from a friend. D. A. C. Stated that she believed that Laura was in the shed on the property, but that she would not answer the door. Upon arrival at the scene, Deputy O'Toole spoke with D. A. C. Who confirmed that Laura was in the shed. Deputy O'Toole walked over to the shed and could see through a crack in the curtain that Laura was lying on the bed.
She would open her eyes and look at him, but would not respond to him or answer the door. It was also learned that Laura had an active misdemeanor Cass County warrant. It was learned that Elias Harper was also in the shed, but he too refused to answer the door. Deputy Mike Cowan and Deer River Police Officers Krall and Keating then arrived at the scene. Deputy O'Toole advised them of the pending circumstances. Wayne Cronin Jr then exited the residence walked over to the shed and opened the window.
He stated that he was going to grab a ladder to let law enforcement into the shed. Cronin Jr crawled through the window, walked through the shed and opened the door. As law enforcement entered, Deputy O'Toole detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. Deputy O'Toole walked into the back room and spoke with Laura and Harper. He asked Laura where the car was, in which she denied knowing anything about it. D. A. C. Then walked into the room and explained to Laura that she knew that Laura had used the vehicle, which Laura still denied.
Harper then stated that he was not going to lie. He stated that they had used the car the previous night and that it broke down on County Road 18, approximately a mile away from the residence. Harper stated they pushed the vehicle off the road and walked back to their current location. Harper PBT'd.086 and Laura PBT'd.185. Deputy O'Toole walked out to his squad to call Harper's probation agent, who indicated that he wanted Harper arrested. Upon returning to the shed, Deputy O'Toole issued Laura a citation for minor consumption alcohol and explained it to her.
Officer Krall then advised Deputy O'Toole that Harper and Laura wished to report an incident involving a gun. Deputy O'Toole spoke with Harper and Laura who indicated that they had entered the shed a few hours prior to law enforcement's arrival. They stated that Cronin Sr and Cronin Jr had emerged from the residence and were upset with Harper, because they believed that he had punched Laura. They were telling Harper that he had to leave. They stated that Cronin Jr was carrying a shotgun and yelled at them from near the residence.
