Mitchell probable cause

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STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE

Complainant is a duly acting and appointed peace officer and as such is familiar with the following facts:
On April 22, 2024, at approximately 4:45 a.m., Detroit Lakes police officers were dispatched to a residence in Detroit Lakes in Becker County on a report that somebody had broken into a residence. The reporting party, a known adult female (hereinafter "Victim"), stated that the suspect ran into the basement. Officer Ethan Wothe arrived on scene at Victim's residence. Once inside, Officer Wothe overheard movement coming from the basement.

Officer Wothe and Officer Sternhagen searched the basement and shortly thereafter located a female dressed in all black clothing and a black hat. The female, later identified as NICOLE LYNN MITCHELL (DOB: 10-10-1974), was ordered to the ground and placed under arrest. While being detained MITCHELL stated to the Victim something to the effect of, "I was just trying to get a couple of my dad's things because you wouldn't talk to me anymore." Officer Sternhagen discovered a flashlight near MITCHELL that had a black sock covering. The flashlight appeared to have been modified so as to control the amount of light emitting from the flashlight.

Officer Wothe searched for MITCHELL's point of entry into the house. He observed a window on the south wall of the basement and a black backpack stuck in a small sliding window. Officers searched the backpack and discovered two laptops, a cell phone, MITCHELL's Minnesota driver's license, MITCHELL's Senate identification, and miscellaneous Tupperware. Officer Wothe later spoke to MITCHELL about the laptops and MITCHELL said they were both hers. MITCHELL stated she had "just gotten into the house" and commented "clearly I'm not good at this."

At his squad, Officer Sternhagen read MITCHELL her Miranda warning. After hearing it, MITCHELL stated "I know I did something bad." MITCHELL explained that her father had recently passed away and that Victim (her stepmother) had ceased all contact with her and other family members. MITCHELL stated she wanted various items of her late father's and that Victim refused to give them to her. MITCHELL described these items as pictures, a flannel shirt, ashes, and other items of sentimental value. MITCHELL admitted to driving her vehicle up from the Twin Cities and noted that she left Woodbury around 1:00 a.m. MITCHELL admitted she got into the house through the window where the bag was discovered. At the jail, Officer Sternhagen asked what got MITCHELL "to this stage" and MITCHELL indicated that it was her father's ashes. She stated that she previously got into an argument with Victim and they stopped speaking.

Officer Wothe arrived at the jail and questioned MITCHELL about the laptops. Officer Wothe presented MITCHELL with the first laptop that was dark in color. MITCHELL opened the laptop and pressed a button and Victim's name popped up. The laptop was not password protected. MITCHELL then stated that Victim gave her the laptop "way back when."

Officer Wothe again spoke to Victim, who stated that she did not give a laptop to MITCHELL.