Second Member of International Theft Ring Charged in Rochester Parish Center Burglary

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- An arrest warrant has been issued for a second suspect involved in a burglary at a building owned by a Rochester church. 

See Also: Rochester Man Enters Guilty Plea for Shooting at Family of Five Occupying Minivan 

The court document, filed in Olmsted County Court earlier this week, says the burglary occurred nearly two years ago. 

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

Get our free mobile app

2nd Suspect Charged in Burglary of Rochester Parish Center

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

The complaint says the doors to three offices had suffered gouging damage near the doorknobs. Officers swept the building and did not find anyone inside. 

Church staff told police that 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. 

Warrant ID's Second Suspect in Rochester Parish Center Burglary

A review of surveillance camera video showed two suspects.

One of the suspects was previously identified as 29-year-old Artur Crudu, who has an Arlington, Tx address. 

Read More: Rochester Church Burglarized by International Theft Ring 

A warrant was issued for his arrest in the case last month. Court records indicate he is scheduled to make his first court appearance on a second-degree burglary charge in April. 

The warrant identifies the second suspect as 39-year-old Stefan Buzoianu. The court document, which indicates he is also facing a second-degree burglary charge, says his address is unknown. 

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,” according to the court documents.