Off Key: Police Find Rochester Church Burglary Suspect Playing Piano

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A homeless man is facing a felony charge after police caught him inside of a Rochester church after hours. 

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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Tuesday. The alleged church burglary was reported after 9:00 on Sunday night. 

Rochester Police responded to the report of a burglary at an undisclosed southeast Rochester church and noticed an exterior door had been unlocked, the complaint notes. 

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Officers began clearing the building and heard what sounded like someone playing a piano in the church’s lobby area, chagres say. 

 Charges: Piano Man Busted in Rochester Church Burglary

Police went to the lobby and found the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Alexander Michael Carter of Rochester, playing the piano. 

The court filing says Carter gave officers a false name and falsely claimed to be a janitor at the church. 

Officers found an envelope in Carter’s pocket with a person’s name on it that contained a picture that was determined to have belonged to a member of the church, according to the complaint. 

The church's pastor confirmed that Carter did not have permission to be inside of the building after hours, the court document says. 

Carter is charged with a count of second-degree burglary. He was released without bail following his first court appearance on Tuesday and is due back in court in October.

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