One Arrested, Second Suspect Sought in Burglaries North of Sartell
SARTELL -- The Stearns County Sheriff's Office has arrested one person and is searching for a second suspect in a string of burglaries north of Sartell.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Bruce Bechtold says they received a call from a resident in the Via Riviera Addition along Stearns County Road 1 in the early morning hours Monday. Bechtold says a resident awakened to their garage door opening and called authorities.
Sheriff's deputies arrived and found a woman in her 20's in a car with stolen property. Bechtold says a second suspect remains on the loose. Authorities haven't released the name of the woman while the investigation continues.
There were a number of unlocked vehicles, garages and sheds that were ransacked. Bechtold says the suspects targeted unlocked doors and there was no sign of forced entry. The thieves were taking items like tools, bikes, chainsaws and other valuables. Also found in the vehicle were stolen credit cards, believed to have been taken from vehicles.
Sheriff's officials have identified the second suspect as the woman's boyfriend and are working to track him down.
Bechtold says they are investigating whether the pair is linked to other burglaries in the area including the Pine Point neighborhood and break-ins in south St. Cloud.