Charges: Camera Catches Serial Rochester Thief Stealing Packages

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Charges have been filed in a Rochester package theft that was caught on camera earlier this month. 

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21-year-old Parker Atherton was arraigned on a felony mail theft charge in Olmsted County Court Thursday. The criminal complaint says an Olmsted County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the report of two packages being stolen from a porch in Rochester on September 2. 

The packages contained seven items totaling $331.99. The complainant told the deputy the theft was caught on camera and the deputy reviewed the footage and identified the suspected porch pirate as Atherton on September 7, according to the complaint. 

Police made contact with Atherton on Thursday. He admitted to taking the packages and apologized for it. He was initially released but then arrested after investigators learned he would be charged for a felony, the complaint says.

Court records show Atherton has at least seven prior theft convictions as well as a conviction for second-degree burglary. His conditional bail was set at $1,000, but jail records show Atherton remains in the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center as of Friday morning.