The co-owner of a Moorhead automobile detailing shop has been charged with receiving stolen property, valued at $17,000 by police.
Aristotle S. Brown, 20, of Evanston, Ill., was charged Friday in Clay County District Court.
Moorhead police were notified Thursday that property stolen from a Firestone tire store in Hopkins, Minn., March 26, may have been moved to Moorhead.
Police searched Moorhead Custom Rims and Auto Detailing at 725 32nd Ave. S. Thursday and found stolen items, including a custom tire-changing machine.
The blue machine, valued at $11,000, was one of four similar models in Minnesota, according to a court complaint filed in the case.
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The other three machines had been accounted for when the search was conducted.
An employee from the Hopkins Firestone store was present at the search and identified a number of items missing from his business, the court complaint said.
The items included the tire-changing machine, a wheel spacer, a tire rim and an acetylene torch.
Brown arrived at the store during the search and identified himself as an owner of the business.
He was subsequently taken into custody by police.
According to the court complaint, Brown told police he knew the stolen items were present in his business.
Brown made his first court appearance Friday morning. He remained in custody in the Clay County Jail late Friday.
The felony charge of receiving stolen property carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Cole Short at (701) 241-5557
