Democratic Minnesota state Senator Nicole Mitchell’s stepmother reported a home break-in early Monday morning and claimed to have encountered an intruder next to her bed armed with a “little steak knife.” The intruder, identified as Mitchell, was found by police at the home wearing all black with a flashlight covered in a black sock. She was charged with first-degree burglary after allegedly entering the home through a basement window and being found in possession of items belonging to her stepmother, including a laptop.
During a 911 call, Mitchell’s stepmother reported the intruder running downstairs to the basement of her home and expressed uncertainty about whether the person was attempting to break out a back window. She mentioned grabbing a “little steak knife” for protection but did not suggest knowledge of the intruder’s identity. Mitchell denied the burglary allegation in a Facebook post, claiming she was checking in on a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease after learning of concerning medical information.
Responding officers found a black backpack belonging to Mitchell propping open a basement window, through which she admitted entering the home. She told investigators that she was trying to retrieve her late father’s ashes, photos, a flannel shirt, and other sentimental items that her stepmother had refused to give her. Mitchell acknowledged wrongdoing in a statement to officers and expressed regret for exacerbating her stepmother’s paranoia during the break-in.
Despite acknowledging her actions as “bad” in the criminal complaint, Mitchell maintains her innocence regarding the theft allegations made by her stepmother. The state senator from Woodbury, who was elected to the state Senate in 2022, has a background in meteorology and serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard. She explained in her Facebook post that she unintentionally startled her stepmother during the break-in and was wrongly accused of stealing items from the home.
The incident involving Mitchell’s alleged burglary at her stepmother’s house has sparked controversy and drawn attention to the state senator’s personal life. While Mitchell claims she was acting out of concern for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, her stepmother’s account and the evidence gathered by law enforcement suggest a different motive. The criminal charges of first-degree burglary against Mitchell raise questions about her judgment and trustworthiness as an elected official, despite her professional background and military service.
As the case against Mitchell unfolds, the public may gain further insight into the motivations behind her actions and the impact of the incident on her family relationships. The conflicting narratives from Mitchell and her stepmother, coupled with the evidence collected by police, create a complex and puzzling scenario that will likely be subject to legal proceedings and public scrutiny. Mitchell’s status as a state senator and military officer adds layers of complexity to the case, highlighting the potential repercussions of her alleged involvement in a criminal act.
