Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell Arrested on Suspicion of Burglary

Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist Nicole Mitchell, 49, was arrested early Monday morning in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota on suspicion of first-degree burglary.

Police received a call at 4:45 a.m. about an ongoing burglary at a residence on Granger Road. Officers responded and found Mitchell inside the home, arresting her without incident.

Mitchell was booked into the Becker County Jail on the burglary charge, though formal charges are still pending as the case remains under investigation. The Becker County Attorney's Office will review police reports to determine whether to pursue charges against the first-term Democratic senator from Woodbury.

According to county property tax records, the home where the alleged burglary occurred is owned by Mitchell's stepmother and her deceased father. Police have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding Mitchell's presence inside the residence.

Why this matters: Mitchell's arrest comes at a critical time for the Minnesota Legislature, with just four weeks remaining in the current session. As a member of the Senate Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, which holds a slim one-seat majority, her absence could complicate efforts to pass legislation without bipartisan support.

The Minnesota Senate DFL Caucus issued a brief statement acknowledging the situation but declined to comment further. "We are aware of the situation involving Senator Mitchell. We have no further comment at this time pending additional information," the statement read.

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson expressed shock at the news of Mitchell's arrest. "The public expects legislators to meet a high standard of conduct. I expect the consequences to meet the actions, both in the court of law and in her role at the Legislature," Johnson said.

Prior to her election to the state Senate in 2022, Mitchell worked as a meteorologist for the U.S. military, KSTP-TV, Minnesota Public Radio, and The Weather Channel. She also serves as a lieutenant commander in the Air National Guard.

Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steve Todd said his department has forwarded reports on the incident to the Becker County Attorney's Office for review. As the inquiry proceeds, additional details may emerge regarding the specific allegations against Senator Mitchell and the events leading up to her arrest on susp

Key Takeaways

• Minnesota state senator Nicole Mitchell, 49, was arrested for suspected burglary.
• Mitchell, a former broadcast meteorologist, was arrested at a residence in Detroit Lakes.
• The arrest comes at a critical time for the Minnesota Legislature with 4 weeks left.
• Mitchell's absence could complicate efforts to pass legislation without bipartisan support.
• Police have forwarded reports to the county attorney's office for review of charges.