The theft from a safe at Casey's General Store in Moorhead on Sunday and a reported armed robbery at the store in August are linked to the husband of an employee, according to a police search warrant filed in Clay County District Court.
Kristofer Robert Davis, 22, 908 24th Ave., Moorhead, has been arrested and is being held in the Clay County Jail pending charges in connection with the theft and robbery, said Clay County Attorney Brian Melton.
The search warrant states:
Police were called to the store at 707 37th Ave. S. on Aug. 12 on a report that a female assistant manager had been robbed at knifepoint.
The woman told police a robber wearing a black mask and gloves showed her a knife and demanded money, getting away with about $4,200 in cash and checks.
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On Sunday, the same assistant manager reported that the store's safe had been burglarized.
She told police she inadvertently left the keys to the store's safe in the office overnight and on Sunday morning the safe was open and all the money was gone, according the search warrant and a police report issued earlier this week.
On Monday, police went to the assistant manager's home, which she shares with her husband.
With the couple's consent, investigators searched the apartment and found a money bag and a large number of dollar bills.
They also found an AK-47 rifle and a shotgun.
The assistant manager then admitted to investigators that she and her husband planned the theft from the safe, according to the search warrant.
The woman told police her husband pressured her into committing the theft so they could pay bills.
She also said he threatened he would take their child and leave her if she didn't go along with the plan.
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The woman told police she suspected her husband of committing the armed robbery, according to the search warrant.
Investigators returned to the apartment Tuesday and confiscated the firearms, some ammunition and a box cutter.
Melton said it is possible Davis' wife could also face charges.
It is not the first time the store has experienced theft.
In 2003, a 21-year-old woman was accused in Clay County District Court of stealing $10,000 from Casey's General Store while she was assistant manager. She was later convicted of a theft charge.
Nancy McNab, district manager for Casey's General Stores, said she could not comment on whether the assistant manager involved in the recent cases is still employed with the store.
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
