Iowan charged for series of suspected burglaries

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.

SportsPlus

Austin Living

Austin Living: Song of the Season

Mower County

Paramount shifts to free admission for final live performance of the year

Mower County

In Your Community: Unity Chapters give to local organizations

Mower County

In Your Community: VFW donates to North Start Honor Flight

Mower County

In Your Community: Apple Lane celebrates food drive

Mower County

Help MnDOT name more snowplows! Submit your idea by Dec. 20

News

A prayer across the rural-urban divide: ‘Open our hearts, open our brains’

Blooming Prairie

Education Briefs

News

‘Polarization’ is Merriam-Webster’s 2024 word of the year

News

Justice Department ignored some policies when seizing reporters’ phone records, watchdog finds

News

Nikki Giovanni, poet and literary celebrity, has died at 81

Education

Board approves 6.73% levy increase

News

Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it?

Adams

Southland to present ‘Little Women’

News

How should the opioid settlements be spent? Those hit hardest often don’t have a say

News

Man arrested with weapon ‘consistent with’ gun in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, police say

Business

Tradition of Service: Muffler Center to celebrate 50 years with open house on Dec. 14

Mower County

Cost-share available for old wells

Mower County

Christmas in the County to be held at Historical society on Dec. 14

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Nov. 25-Dec. 2

News

US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown

Albert Lea

Seniors ride for free with SMART