Victim says convict duct taped her and ransacked her home

Two women say three men broke into their home last month, duct taped one of them and stole several valuable items.

James Paul Hutchinson, 30, of Austin, is one of the suspects. Police arrested Hutchinson on March 18 in a different incident in which people say Hutchinson threatened to burn down a house and kill someone’s cat.

One of the victims in the Feb. 14 alleged break-in said Hutchinson wore a police jacket and duct taped her while others ransacked the house. One of the suspects also yelled, “Don’t call the police. We’re the police.”

Police and witnesses later linked Hutchinson to a spray painted truck and the police jacket, according to the Mower County Court complaint.

Hutchinson is charged with terroristic threats, a felony, and misdemeanor domestic assault in the recent case. He was charged with two counts of first-degree burglary and kidnapping in the previous case, along with gross misdemeanor theft. The victims said Hutchinson and the suspects stole an iPad, diamond ring and 14-karat gold chain.

Hutchinson is in court April 4.

In 2012, he was convicted of a felony for storing methamphetamine paraphernalia in the presence of a child.

SportsPlus

Mower County

Soil-health incentive deadlines coming up

News

Bird flu worries prompt changes to popular ‘Miracle of Birth Center’ at Minnesota State Fair

Agriculture

Youth showcase a year of 4-H learning at Mower County Fair

Mower County

Lawhead joines Smith office as press aid

Mower County

In your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

Education

Education: Accolades

Columnists

Tim Penny: Open grants support welcoming communities

News

US economic growth increased last quarter to a healthy 2.8% annual rate

News

World War II sergeant whose plane was shot down over Germany honored with reburial

News

Gizmo the dog went missing in Las Vegas in 2015. He’s been found alive after 9 years

Blooming Prairie

Blooming Prairie man pleads guilty to federal charge of child pornography

Mower County

Westbound I-90 overnight detour at Hwy 105 scheduled July 29 in Austin

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Darin Douglas Finley, convicted in the death of Melissa Rack, in jail on probation violation

News

Arson attacks paralyze French high-speed rail network hours before start of Olympics

Business

Hormel named to Forbes List of America’s Best Employers for Women 2024

Agriculture

Strip-till farming focus of upcoming event

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Man gets 13 years in prison for criminal sexual conduct with a child

News

Biden delivers solemn call to defend democracy as he lays out his reasons for quitting race

News

In fiery speech to Congress, Netanyahu vows ‘total victory’ in Gaza and denounces U.S. protesters

Education

APS announces new cell phone, device rules for upcoming school year

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Minnesota appeals court upholds – in part – original Heggs conviction

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Austin teen injured in Tuesday night crash

Mower County

Gertrude Ellis travels the subject of next Lunchbox History event