REDWOOD FALLS — A Walnut Grove man received probation last week for stealing golf carts and later selling them on Craigslist, Redwood County court records said. Nicholas Norman Kruse, 30, was sentenced in Redwood County District Court on Sept. 1.

A criminal complaint said Kruse was involved with the theft of two golf carts from a garage in Sanborn on Aug. 10, 2022. A Redwood County Sheriff’s deputy found one of the missing golf carts on Facebook Marketplace, the complaint said. The seller told law enforcement he had purchased the golf cart on Craigslist. He gave a description of the two people who sold him the golf cart, and a description of their vehicle, the complaint said.

The Sheriff’s Office later pulled over a truck and trailer matching the description, the complaint said. The driver, Scott Mitchell Birch, 32, of Walnut Grove, admitted to law enforcement that he and Kruse were involved in stealing the golf carts, the complaint said. Kruse set up ads on Craigslist to sell the golf carts, the complaint said.

Law enforcement found one of the stolen golf carts, as well as golf bags and clubs, at Birch and Kruse’s residence in Walnut Grove, the complaint said.

Kruse pleaded guilty to charges of third degree burglary and theft, court records said. At a Sept. 1 sentencing hearing, Kruse received a stay of imposition of sentence, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 40 hours of service, and three years probation with conditions including that he pay restitution, court records said.

An additional five counts of theft charges against Kruse were dismissed, court records said.

Court records said Birch also faces charges of third degree burglary and six counts of theft. An omnibus hearing date for Birch is set for Sept. 11.