The driver of an 18-wheeler was charged June 29 in Wadena County District Court with two theft-related offenses for refusing to return the vehicle he was driving.
Michael Eric Davidson, 47, of Stockton, Calif., faces charges of theft -- take/use/transfer movable property with no consent and theft -- drive motor vehicle with no consent. Bond was set at $100,000 without conditions or $30,000 with conditions, or $3,000 cash bail with conditions.
According to court records, a sheriff's deputy was going to serve harassment restraining order paperwork on Davidson in Menahga when the investigator learned Davidson had failed to return with a semi truck. He had been due back the previous day. Davidson had allegedly told the truck's owner he wouldn't bring it back until he was paid money he felt he was owed.
Davidson's last known location was the truck stop in Rogers, Minn., so the Wadena County Sheriff's Office contacted Rogers police and asked them to check the truck stop, and Davidson was found there, court documents said. After he was picked up, Davidson told the Rogers officer he was having a heart attack while being transported to the jail, court documents said. He was taken to the hospital, but the hospital wouldn't provide any information about when Davidson might be discharged.
The truck's owner then reported receiving text messages and cell phone calls from Davidson while he was still in the hospital, and Davidson was taunting him and telling him he "wasn't man enough to settle his own business" and "he had to get the cops involved," according to court documents.
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An initial court appearance was scheduled for July 7.
