Criminal charges are likely against a Two Harbors man that Mayor Randy Bolen says admitted to stealing a golf cart from Lakeview National Golf Course.
The Two Harbors mayor was involved in the case after a golf course employee reported that Bolen was seen using the cart this summer. Bolen was questioned but will not be charged, said investigator Steve Borchers of the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, which investigated the case for Two Harbors.
"It is not Mr. Bolen," Borchers said Tuesday, explaining that the investigation is complete and has been sent to Lake County Attorney Laura Auron with a recommendation for charges.
Auron said she could not comment on an active investigation. Neither Borchers nor Bolen identified the man likely to be charged.
Bolen said Tuesday that "my end is done and cleared."
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"I didn't do anything wrong," he said. "I ended up getting thrown under a little bit."
Bolen said he borrowed the cart from a Two Harbors resident thinking it was better to use a private cart for city events instead of one leased by the city. He said he likes to use a cart for street festivals and other events so he doesn't have to walk as much.
"You know, to save the feet a little bit," he said.
Bolen said a deputy came to his house to ask questions this summer and that conversation led to the suspect. Bolen said the stolen cart was found at the home of the man, who later admitted stealing it.
The cart was stolen two years ago. An employee at the city-owned golf course who asked not to be identified told the News Tribune that this summer, Bolen was driving the cart to the clubhouse.
The investigation was sent out of the county due to a potential conflict of interest, county officials said.
"We know everyone involved so the county attorney decided to go outside," Lake County Sheriff Carey Johnson said.
St. Louis County Undersheriff Dave Phillips said that the investigation is complete and has been sent to Auron's office for review. Lake County will determine whether charges are appropriate.
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The employee said the cart, officially called an E-Z-Go Golf Car, had been painted and some of its vehicle identification numbers stripped, but it was undoubtedly the one that had been stolen.
"It's our cart," the employee said.
It was the seat that helped give it away as golf course property, the employee said, adding few Northland courses use the type of carts the city leases.
Gaby Accad of Versatile Vehicles in Savage, Minn., which provides the carts to the city, said the stolen cart was valued at $5,000. The amount could constitute a felony charge under Minnesota law.
Bolen said the cart was identified by one identification number that had been painted over.
The cart is being stored at the Two Harbors Police Department's impound.
Two Harbors City Councilor Cathy Erickson worked at the golf course at the time of the theft and today serves on the golf course advisory group.
The city has struggled for several years to keep the golf course economically viable, Erickson said, and it was difficult to accept the theft of one of 40 leased carts.
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"It was sad to know someone would do that," she said, adding that the cart was never replaced. "I'm glad it was recovered."
