Willow River man charged for mail thefts and vehicle tampering

On January 8th, 2023, Carlton County 911 Dispatch was notified that the Bethany Lutheran Church was burglarized. A short time later, Carlton County Deputies were notified that a number of vehicles parked at Cromwell Automotive were tampered with as well. Cromwell Automotive is located within two miles of Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell.

On January 10th, 2023, Carlton County 911 Dispatch was notified that the Esko Post Office had been burglarized. A large number of boxes and letters were taken from the Esko Post Office during the burglary.

On January 12th, 2023, 37-year-old Steven Russell Macdonald of Willow River was arrested by the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office for various unrelated charges as well as for an active Carlton County warrant. After additional investigation, Macdonald was charged in Carlton County with two counts of 2nd Degree Burglary (felonies), Mail Theft (felony), and Tampering with a Motor Vehicle (Misdemeanor) for his involvement in the theft and burglaries within Carlton County.

Any identified victims of mail theft related to this matter will be contacted by the United States Postal Service with further instructions.

The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Carlton County Attorney’s Office, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol and continues to investigate the Esko Post Office burglary in conjunction with the United States Postal Inspection Service.