M., a Winona Police Officer (“Officer”) was dispatched to a business located in the City and County of Winona, Minnesota, regarding a theft by one of its employees, Adrian Timothy Torbenson, [DOB REDACTED] (“Defendant”). Officer contacted owner (Victim 1) via phone. Victim 1 told Officer he received a message from his risk monitoring services regarding a $10,760.21 return that was processed on a credit card in Winona, Minnesota. Victim 1 stated he was informed of a refund indicating there was no off-setting sale which required further information to validate the activity.
The return was made under the store manager’s name (Victim 2). Victim 1 told police he looked at the video of the return and learned Defendant had scanned a soda for $2.59, punched in his card and then transferred $10,000 worth of “fasteners” back onto his credit card ending in 4396 for a total amount, including tax, of $10,760.21. Officer reviewed the store’s surveillance video. Officer observed that on July 8, 2025, at approximately 8:00 A.M., Defendant logs into the register using his employee number.
Defendant grabs a pop from a cooler in front of the checkout counter, returns to the register and manipulates the computer and mouse. Defendant then pulls his wallet from his left shorts pocket, removes a blue and silver card and taps to pay. Defendant did a price switch for this transaction. In the same video, Officer observed Defendant make a transaction at approximately 1:00 P.M. Defendant logs in using his employee number. Defendant then grabs a pop from the cooler, returns to the checkout and manipulates the computer and mouse.
Defendant then pulls his wallet from his left shorts pocket, removes a blue and silver card, and taps to pay. Defendant did a price switch for this transaction. Officer reviewed store video dated July 16, 2025, at approximately 12:15 P.M. Defendant checks out a coworker using his own employee number. Defendant waits a few seconds then logs in using Victim 2’s credentials. Defendant then grabs a pop, returns to the register, pulls his wallet, manipulates the computer and the mouse, and then readies to scan the pop.
Defendant then cancels the transaction as a customer approaches the counter. During the entirety of the video, Officer observes Defendant looking around to determine if anyone is observing, while swaying back and forth nervously. 2 ••-CR-••-•••• Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 3/17/2026 After helping the customer, Defendant goes back to the register and logs in using Victim 2’s employee number. Defendant is observed looking around before he scans the pop. Defendant, using Victim 2’s employee number, manipulates the computer by opening and closing multiple windows.
Officer reviewed the credit card batch report and learned Defendant returned twenty fasteners at $500 each, totaling $10,000. The return is issued back to Defendant’s account ending in 4396. Victim 1 told Officer he had contacted the proper department to cancel the return and received confirmation the transaction was canceled. Victim 1 informed Officer Defendant had not received any of the money. Victim 1 stated Defendant was terminated on July 17, 2025. Victim 1 told Officer that during Defendant’s employment, Defendant claimed to have had access to employees’ login information and credentials.
