On November 17, 2025, Edina Police responded to a report of a fraudulent check offered at Royal Credit Union, 4450 76th Street West, Edina, Hennepin County. The check was offered by AUSTIN TROY BENTON (“Defendant”) on November 10, 2025. Police obtained a copy of the check, which was drawn on the account of Oak Shores 11th Edition Homeowner’s Association, dated November 5, 2025, numbered 5555, and made out to Defendant in the amount of $3,435.29. Police learned that Oak Shores 11th Edition Homeowner’s Association did not make or authorize the check, and Defendant did not have consent to make, authorize or offer the check.
Police further learned that Oak Shores 11th Edition Homeowner’s Association had recently mailed a check to a vendor that the vendor had never received. Police executed a search warrant with Royal Credit Union and obtained a copy of the check as well as a photocopy of the identification card Defendant presented when he offered the check. The identification card was a Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Membership Card and bore Defendant’s name and image. The signature on the identification card matched the endorsement on the back of the check.
Police obtained surveillance video showing Defendant offering the check. The State request a warrant issue due to no known address to mail defendant a summons.
