Alleged Salvation Army burglar charged

Published 5:56 pm Wednesday, December 12, 2012

A former Salvation Army employee who allegedly tried to burglarize that organizations drop-off center has been charged in Mower County Court.

Duane Johnson, 39, of Austin, was charged Wednesday with felony third-degree burglary. Video surveillance allegedly foiled Johnson’s plan. Police received the report from a different Salvation Army employee on Monday that someone broke into the drop-off center, 700 10th St. NE, at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday. From video surveillance, an employee was able to identify the alleged burglar as Johnson.

Police arrested Johnson at his home on Monday morning. Johnson said he went to drop off clothes at about 5:30 p.m. on Saturday but went inside the building because another man was there and let him inside. However, video surveillance shows nobody else in the building, according to police. Johnson admitted he recently relapsed and began using methamphetamine again, according to the report, and police later found a meth pipe and bottle with a white substance at his home.

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Johnson’s next court appearance is Dec. 20. Police will review the tape to see if Johnson stole anything. Salvation Army officials are unaware if anything was taken.