Walmart thief charged in alleged check cashing scam

A Rochester woman convicted of stealing more than $2,000 of electronics, fleeing and assaulting an officer and possessing drugs in July 2011 has been arrested and charged with felony check forgery.

Beth Marie Hansen, 26 — on 10 years’ probation for the above conviction — was arrested Thursday and charged in Mower County Court. She and another woman, Kandyce Kristen Keeler, were allegedly passing fake checks at Bobee Jo’s bar in Austin in June and later caught. A detective discovered that Hansen, who was identified on surveillance, was being investigated in Rochester along with Keeler for forgery. According to the complaint, police believe Keeler was making the checks and Hansen was helping pass them. They also believe Keeler tried to cash two of the three checks at Bobee Jo’s Bar. An employee caught wind of the alleged scam during the third check passing. The women were allegedly using the name “Felicia Pigeon” as the account holder.

Hansen’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 16, along with her probation violation hearing on last year’s conviction.

Officers arrested Hansen last year after she left Walmart with thousands of dollars worth of products, led them on a 100 mph chase, hit a spike strip, drove into a curb in Austin and then fled into the woods.

When police seized the missing electronics from the vehicle, they also found a digital scale, a methamphetamine pipe, a vial testing positive for cocaine and two containers with marijuana residue, the court complaint states.

Mower County

New gallery exhibit features history and the macabre

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Man with a history of domestic assault convictions arrested Monday, charged

News

Brooklyn Park police investigating break-in at Hortmans’ home

Mower County

Mower County systems down after ransomware attack

Mower County

Steele among eight counties added to DNR’s deer feeding and attractant ban

Mower County

Inaugural Ribbon Research Open announced to support cancer research

Mower County

Summerset Theatre opens its 57th Season with ‘Hairspray’

Mower County

In Your Community: Last Spring Bing-Oh! prize claimed

Education

Education Briefs

Business

City Council agrees to support of proposed apartment complex

Albert Lea

Angie Hanson announces run for District 23 Senate seat

Local Government

City council expresses desire to return 14th Street NW intersections to 4-way stops

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Iowa man charged with allegedly brandishing a gun during road rage incident

News

Vance Boelter charged with murder after capture in Minnesota manhunt

News

2-day manhunt for suspected Minnesota political assassin ends with surrender in farm field

Mower County

PHOTOS: Large group shows up for Austin No Kings rally

News

Minnesota House DFL leader Hortman, husband killed in apparent ‘politically motivated’ shooting; Sen. Hoffman, wife wounded

Mower County

Austin Area Arts announces kick-off events for Paramount’s grand re-opening season

Mower County

Man with no contact order charged in violation of order

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: June 2-9

Mower County

Ikes fundraiser to support Minnesota Soil Health Coalition

Mower County

Relay for Life ice cream social slated for July 8

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Blooming Prairie

Blooming Prairie Fourth Quarter Honor Roll