Corey Jamaine Coutee

On March 24, 2026, Fridley Police Department received a delayed report of theft from Target, "Victim" herein, located at 755 53rd Ave NE, city of Fridley, county of Anoka. Victim reported that COREY JAMAINE COUTEE [DOB REDACTED], "Defendant" herein, had stolen $1,191.50 in a classic "K1" scam. Defendant entered the store on March 21, 2026, selected two Owlet baby monitors with a total value of $780.64 and went to checkout. At checkout, Defendant inserted a credit card into the reader and then convinced the cashier to press the K1 or "cash" button on the register.

The cashier does so, making the register believe that cash was presented as payment and the transaction was complete when in fact no payment was actually received. Defendant received a register receipt showing a cash payment and departed the store with the items. Defendant returned to the store an hour later and returned one of the Owlet baby monitors, receiving $410.86 in cash. Victim provided surveillance videos of the transactions to law enforcement. Victim identified Defendant as being the same individual who has been responsible for dozens of thefts from Target across the country with a theft total reaching six figures.

Defendant was arrested on March 22, 2026, for a similar scam at the Stillwater Target, and had also stolen from a Target in Hudson, Wisconsin that same day. Defendant is in custody.