Tips Lead to Charges in Costly 2023 Vandalism at Rochester Shop

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- There appears to be a break in a case involving a smashed out window at a Rochester business.

TSM photo by Aaron Galloway. Stock image

The Rochester Police Department issued a request for public assistance last summer after the shop’s owner reported someone had kicked out the front window of their business.

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Police shared a photo of the suspected vandal with the hope of it leading to a break in the case. The costly vandalism was reported at Gargaar Grocery in the 600 block of 6th Ave. Northwest shortly after 3 a.m. on August 21.

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Rochester police responded to the store around 10 a.m. on the day of the incident. After publicly releasing the surveillance photo of the suspect, two people contacted investigators and identified the man in the image as 33-year-old Cody Lee Burkhart of Rochester, the complaint says.

Rochester Police Department

Investigators reviewed footage captured by other surveillance cameras in the city and spotted Burkhart, who was identified by law enforcement through tattoos that matched previous booking photos, walking in the area of the grocery store wearing the same clothing as the vandalism suspect, according to the court document.

Rochester Police Department

Burkhart has been charged with a felony count of first-degree property damage. The court filing says the cost to replace the window Burkhart is accused of shattering was $7,082.82.

Burkhart complaint. Olmsted County Court

Court records indicate Burkhart has a criminal history that dates back to 2009 that includes misdemeanor convictions for theft and obstructing the legal process.

He’s due to make his first court appearance next month.