District Court
Kandiyohi County
* A 54-year-old Willmar man made his initial appearance Monday on a felony charge of theft.
William Allan Van Houdt is facing the felony charge after a Sept. 11 incident when he allegedly stole a duffle bag and backpack from his apartment hallway. Judge Michael J. Thompson conditionally released Van Houdt on his own recognizance.
According to the complaint, charges were filed against Van Houdt after a neighbor in his apartment building along the 300 block of Seventh Street Northwest filed a report of theft to the Willmar Police Department.
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The complainant told officers that he had left his duffle bag and backpack in the hallway because he left his keys down by his mailbox. When he returned to his apartment door, the bags were allegedly gone. The complainant told officers that he saw a suspicious person -- later identified as Van Houdt -- go into one of the apartments on the floor.
When questioned by officers, Van Houdt consented to a search of his apartment. A book belonging to the complainant and both bags were located in Van Houdt's apartment. Van Houdt initially denied knowing how the items had gotten there, but later called the Police Department and confessed to taking the items.
According to the complaint, the bags contained a total of $570 worth of items. Van Houdt's next court date is scheduled for Jan. 18.
Accident
WILLMAR -- A 20-year-old Grove City woman was taken Friday morning to Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar after she was involved in a car accident along U.S. Highway 12 East.
Lisa L. Carlson was driving her Chevy car west along Highway 12 near the intersection of 24th Street when her vehicle rear-ended a Chevy Impala also driving west along Highway 12. According to a Willmar Police Department accident report, the vehicles collided where the westbound traffic merges from two lanes into one.
Samuel Stuart Hoag, 62, of Atwater was driving the Impala and was not injured in the accident.
The Willmar Fire Department, Willmar Ambulance and Kandiyohi County Rescue Squad assisted at the scene.
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Theft
WILLMAR -- The theft of $140 in cash was reported to the Willmar Police Department around 6:10 p.m. Thursday along the 1200 block of Litchfield Avenue Southwest.
WILLMAR -- The theft of a banner was reported to the Willmar Police Department around 4:20 p.m. Thursday along the 300 block of 11th Street Southwest.
Vandalism
WILLMAR -- Gang-related graffiti was reported to the Willmar Police Department around 3:10 p.m. Thursday at Speedy Print, 501 S. First St. According to the police report the vandals sprayed "BP" on the building.
Marriage licenses
Kandiyohi County
Myrle Martin Peterson, Willmar; Heather Marie Otteson, Willmar.
