Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen reports that Thursday, June 23, at approximately 1:36 a.m., their office was asked to assist the Royalton Police Department with a possible stolen vehicle at the Birch Villa Apartments. The Royalton Police Department received a tip that there was a stolen Dodge truck at the apartment building in Royalton and a stolen camper trailer at a residence in rural Stearns County.
The Royalton Police Department and Morrison County Sheriff’s Office checked the Birch Villa Apartments and located a Dodge truck with altered license plates belonging to Gary Peterson. During the investigation, it was learned the truck was reported stolen from Detroit Lakes in Becker County. Located inside the truck was a fake ID with the photo of 26 year old, Sheila Meyer of Royalton, and several fake check blanks. A Morrison County Investigator and a Royalton Police Officer later made contact with Meyer, which resulted in her arrest for receiving stolen property. A search warrant was executed at her apartment where several counterfeit bills were seized along with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
With regards to the stolen camper, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office located a camper trailer that was reported stolen from Motley. Found inside the camper was Gary Peterson, 28, from Royalton. Peterson was taken into custody and is awaiting charges in Stearns County.
The ongoing investigation is a collaborative effort among the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and the Royalton Police Department.