Albert Lea Man Admits to Massive Rochester Butcher Shop Theft

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- An Albert Lea man has entered a guilty plea to settle a case involving a massive theft from a Rochester butcher shop last year.

Read More: Rochester Man Charged for Massive Theft from Rochester Butcher Shop

Rochester police responded to the business on the report of a theft on Nov. 27, 2023.

Officers were shown footage captured on the night of Nov. 25 of two men pulling up to a trailer outside of Ye Olde Butcher Shop and loading their vehicle with what appeared to be dozens of boxes of meat.

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The local Rochester business estimated the loss from the theft at $5242.29, the complaint says.

Albert Lea Police identified one of the men as 46-year-old Dustin Dean Zamora after Rochester police shared photos of the theft.

Zamora complaint. Olmsted County Court

Zamora was stopped and arrested by Albert Lea Police on Nov. 29 in connection to a meat theft and auto part theft reported in Albert Lea.

The arresting officer also found a piece of a box reported stolen from Ye Olde Butcher Shop in the vehicle Zamora was driving, the complaint said.

Albert Lea Man Pleads Guilty to Massive Theft from Ye Olde Butcher Shop in Rochester, MN

Zamora was charged with a count of aiding and abetting felony theft. On Monday he agreed to plead guilty to the charge in exchange for a downward sentencing departure, pending the findings of a pre-sentence investigation.

Prosecutors also agreed to dismiss a different felony theft case that was opened against Zamora in September of last year. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January.

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Gallery Credit: Carly Ross