Police Capture Rochester Smoke Shop Robbery Suspect

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Rochester Police captured a man suspected of robbing a Rochester smoke shop Monday morning. 

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Officers were dispatched to the report of a robbery in progress around 9:45 a.m., according to Rochester Police Department Communications Coordinator Amanda Grayson. 

Staff reported trying to stop a man who stole merchandise but allowed him to leave after he threatened to “stick them,” police say. 

Man Suspected of Threatening Staff With Knife During Rochester Smoke Shop Robbery

The robbery was reported at Tony’s Smoke Shop at 440 Crossroads Dr. Southwest. Employees told officers the suspect, who staff believed to have had a knife on him, fled the store on a bicycle. 

Grayson said officers found him a few blocks away from the store. Police arrested the robbery suspect after a brief foot chase, according to the report.  

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He has been identified as 27-year-old Dylan Bathke of Rochester. Grayson said he was arrested on suspicion of robbery, threats of violence and fleeing on foot. 

He was booked into the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center shortly after 10:00 Monday morning. Police have not yet said whether or not Bathke had a knife on him at the time of his arrest. 

A list of items reported stolen from the store and the value of the merchandise is not available.

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