Detroit Lakes Man Charged in $6,000 Theft from Fergus Falls Demolition Site

A Detroit Lakes man is facing felony theft charges after investigators say he stole over $6,000 worth of tools and equipment from a demolition site in Fergus Falls.
According to court documents, Fergus Falls Police received a report on August 5 regarding missing tools from a demolition project at 801 Stanton Avenue. The site owner and a contractor told officers that a variety of items—including batteries, grinders, drivers, saws, toolboxes, and tool kits—had disappeared over the course of a weekend.
During their investigation, officers identified 38-year-old Raymond Carlson as a suspect. Carlson had been hired to help with the demolition and was the only worker on-site the day before the theft was discovered. The site owner told police Carlson had been acting suspiciously, inspecting areas unrelated to his work and frequently leaving the job.
A tip led police to discover Carlson had sold the stolen tools to three people. Search warrants confirmed the equipment matched the stolen items, and one buyer told investigators Carlson claimed the tools belonged to him and his brother and that he was selling them because he needed money.
Carlson made his first court appearance on Tuesday, February 18, and is now charged with felony theft.