Current:Home > NewsMinnesota state senator arrested on suspicion of burglary -Wealth Evolution Experts
Minnesota state senator arrested on suspicion of burglary
View
Date:2025-04-16 17:59:05
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A state senator and former broadcast meteorologist was arrested on suspicion of burglary early Monday in the northwestern Minnesota city of Detroit Lakes, police said.
Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 49, of Woodbury, was being held in the Becker County Jail on suspicion of first-degree burglary. Formal charges were still pending Monday afternoon, Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steve Todd said.
Mitchell did not immediately return a call left on the jail’s voicemail system for inmates. It’s not clear if she has an attorney who could comment on her behalf. The police chief said he didn’t know of one.
Mitchell was arrested while the Senate is on its Passover break. Her arrest comes at an awkward time for Senate Democrats, who hold just a one-seat majority with four weeks left in the legislative session. Her absence would make it difficult to pass any legislation that lacks bipartisan support.
Mitchell worked as a meteorologist with the U.S. military and for KSTP-TV and Minnesota Public Radio before she was elected to the Senate in 2022 from a suburban St. Paul district. She still serves as lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, commanding a weather unit, her official profile says. She worked for The Weather Channel earlier in her career, her profile says.
Dispatchers received a 911 call at 4:45 a.m. from a homeowner about “an active burglary in process at her residence,” Todd said in an interview. Officers searched the home and arrested Mitchell, Todd said.
The police chief said he could provide few other details because the case was still under investigation. He said he was waiting to hear back from the county attorney’s office, and that a complaint detailing the allegations might not get filed until Tuesday.
Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the case.
Public records and an obituary posted by a Detroit Lakes funeral home show that Mitchell’s father, who died last month, and stepmother lived on the same block of the same road in Detroit Lakes as where the senator was arrested. The stepmother did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Mitchell’s arrest took Senate leaders by surprise. The Senate Democratic Caucus said in a statement that it’s “aware of the situation and has no comment pending further information.”
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks, said he was shocked but knew very few details.
“The public expects Legislators to meet a high standard of conduct,” Johnson said in a statement. “As information comes out, we expect the consequences to meet the actions, both in the court of law, and in her role at the legislature.”
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Ranking
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Sam Taylor
- 'Most Whopper
Recommendation
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list