Member of International Theft Ring Charged in Burglary of Rochester Church Building

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A building owned by a Rochester church was burglarized by two members from an international theft ring. 

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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Friday. The charges say the burglary occurred over a year ago. 

Rochester police investigators used surveillance footage and its intelligence department to identify the suspects. 

Members of Romanian Theft Ring Caught on Camera During Rochester Church Building Burglary

On July 6 of 2024, officers responded to the report of a forced-entry burglary at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Center, located at 1114 3rd St SE. The building is adjacent to the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. 

Police swept the building and found no one inside but did find evidence that three offices were broken into. The complaint says the doors to the offices had suffered gouging damage near the doorknobs. 

Filing cabinets in each of the offices had been rummaged through, however church staff reported nothing had been stolen, the court document says. Parish staff also told police that the building had been secured prior to the burglary. 

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A review of surveillance camera video showed two suspects. 

The Rochester Police Department Intelligence Unit shared the pictures of the suspects and learned they were members of a “organized Romanian theft group that has been responsible for numerous burglaries in Minnesota,” the complaint says. 

One of the men was identified as 29-year-old Artur Crudu. The complaint lists him with an Arlington, Tx address.

Crudu faces one count of second-degree burglary. He is being charged by summons and a first court date has not yet been scheduled.

The court document identifies the second suspect, however he has not yet been charged.