Austin Daily Herald, Minn. –
An Iowa man was charged in Mower County Court on Monday for a series of attempted burglaries in Austin during the past three weeks.
Paul Sanchez-Morales, 28, of New Hampton, faces three counts of second-degree burglary and two differing counts of theft. Four of his charges are felonies.
Police arrested Sanchez-Morales on Feb. 3, 2012, at the 1000 block of Oakland Ave. W roughly an hour after a reported burglary in progress at the 1800 block of Fourth Ave. SW. A neighbor notified authorities and also took photographs of the alleged burglar and his vehicle. Officers also took pictures of shoe prints at the residence. Authorities used the photographs and matched Sanchez-Morales’ shoe prints to those in the yard, and Sanchez-Morales was arrested.
According to the court complaint, Sanchez-Morales admitted to the stealing from the residence, and also admitted to entering a house at the 1100 block of 15th Ave. NE on Jan. 15. At both residences, Sanchez-Morales allegedly took jewelry and cash, totalling more than $2,000. According to the court complaint, Sanchez-Morales admitted to selling some of the items in New Hampton.
Sanchez-Morales also admitted he is illegally living in the U.S. and has been deported in the past, the complaint states. Sanchez Morales is being held at the Mower County Jail on $100,000 bail. His next court appearance is Feb. 16.
