Rochester Man Faces Felony Charge for Neighborhood Theft Spree

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The man arrested for recent a series of reported thefts in a Rochester neighborhood has been formally charged. 

Read More: Rochester Man Arrested for Entering Occupied Home, Stealing from Vehicles

Rochester police announced the arrest of 20-year-old Mario Hernandez Leonardo on Tuesday.

A statement issued by the department says officers discovered the reported theft spree after responding to a burglary around 4:30 Tuesday morning. Leonardo was taken into custody less than two hours later. 

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Rochester Man Facing Felony Charge For Alleged Thefts from Vehicles

The Rochester man is charged with felony receiving stolen property and misdemeanor tampering with a motor vehicle. 

Police say he entered an unlocked home in the 700 block of 13th Ave. NE and went through some rooms in the home before leaving in a vehicle. The criminal complaint says the woman living at the home told officers he entered her son’s room and woke up her son. 

The court document alleges Leonardo subsequently went through five vehicles in the same neighborhood after entering the home. 

See Also: Man and Woman Charged Following Rochester Cocaine and Meth Bust 

Items reported stolen from the vehicles include a DeWalt impact driver, numerous DeWalt batteries, both of which were estimated to be over $1,000, a blower, ice cleats, jumper cables, a jumper kit and papers, according to the complaint. 

Items Reported Stolen Following Rochester Vehicle Break-ins Found

Police obtained a description of the suspect vehicle and located it in the 100 block of 9th St. NE. Officers arrested Leonardo at the scene. 

Police also located the items that were reported stolen after executing a search warrant, according to the complaint. 

Leonardo was released without bail following his first court appearance. He is due back in court next month.