Nicole Mitchell. Photo: Screengrab
Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell now faces charges in connection to a burglary at a Detroit Lakes home earlier this week.
Nicole Mitchell, 49, was charged by the Becker County Attorney’s Office on Tuesday, with first-degree burglary.
According to police, after the homeowner called 911 to report a burglary in progress, officers were called around 4:45am on Monday to a residence off Granger Road and Long Avenue.
Nicole Mitchell was arrested and booked into Becker County Jail, said police, reports CBSnews.
In a statement posted to her state senator’s Facebook page on Tuesday, she denied the allegations.
Denying stealing anything, Mitchell said she entered the home out of concern for an ailing family member.
The incident has become a “true tragedy” for her family, said Mitchell, adding that she also thanked friends and colleagues “of both parties” for support.
According to the criminal complaint, Mitchell’s stepmother called the police to report as someone had broken into her home. When police officers rushed to the spot, the suspect – Mitchell — ran into the basement.
When officers found Mitchell in the basement, she was wearing black clothing and a black hat, according to the complaint.
The officials found a flashlight with a sock on it and a black backpack nearby, which contained a cellphone, two laptops, Tupperware and identifying documents for Mitchell.
Mitchell told the investigators her father had recently died and her stepmother wouldn’t talk to her or other family members, investigators said.
The complaint said the items Mitchell sought were “a flannel shirt, ashes, pictures, and other items of sentimental value”.
Investigators said Police questioned Mitchell about one of the laptops found in her bag as she got into the house through a basement window.
Mitchell, who made her first court appearance Tuesday morning, was released from custody with conditions, including remaining law-abiding and making all future court appearances.
The court fixed June 10 for the next hearing.