At first glance, it must have looked like a job for the fashion police.
Moorhead officers on patrol about 3 a.m. Wednesday spotted a man wearing a formal purple gown, a blond wig, fake fingernails, earrings and tennis shoes.
But it was suspicions about the man's location which prompted police to stop him.
The man was riding a bicycle near 12th Avenue and 34th Street South, where a school is under construction.
The stop led to the arrest of Eric N. Granlund, 38, 1901 11th St. N., Moorhead. Prosecutors later filed charges against him in Clay County District Court.
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Court records say:
Police, aware of recent reports of after-hour thefts from construction sites, stopped the bicyclist.
Officers discovered that the bike rider possessed some illegal accessories -- namely tools and other items that the man admitted taking from the construction site.
He told officers he had been a cross-dresser for about 20 years and that he often rode his bike in a similar fashion in the early morning hours.
Officers placed Granlund under arrest and later found a small amount of methamphetamine and a marijuana cigarette in a purse he was carrying.
Prosecutors filed charges of fifth-degree controlled substance crime, theft and possession of drug paraphernalia against Granlund.
He remained in the Clay County Jail Wednesday evening in lieu of $5,000 bail.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555
