| Police searching for suspect in robbery |
By: DAVID HENKE, Staff Writer
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Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009 2:42 am
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RED WING — An armed robbery suspect with ties to Northfield is the subject of a search initiated by Goodhue County authorities.
A warrant for his arrest was issued by the First District Court on Nov. 5 for Valentin Rodriguez Jr., who police say has been living in Red Wing for the last two years under a stolen identity.
Rodriguez, 33, who worked at Malt-O-Meal under his assumed name, was also charged on Nov. 4 with aggravated forgery, forgery, identity theft and giving a peace officer a false name.
Under Minnesota statutes, aggravated forgery occurs when an individual signs or creates an official document, including bank accounts, public records or a court order, among others, under a false or assumed identity.
Red Wing police were tipped off about Rodriguez in August by the Texas State Patrol, after a Brownsville, Texas, man contacted Texas authorities. The man complained that his driver’s license had been suspended for a June 2007 DUI he allegedly received in Minnesota, but told Texas police he had never traveled here, according to a criminal complaint filed in First District Court.
Texas authorities found that the photo of Rodriguez on file for the 2007 drunken driving case did not match the appearance of the identity theft victim, and notified Red Wing police, who determined that Rodriguez had used the Brownsville man’s name and Social Security Number.
Police then executed a search warrant at Rodriguez’ Red Wing residence. At the home, authorities found a .45-caliber pistol, a number of photos identifying Rodriguez as “Valentin” and a baggage claim ticket issued to “Valentin Rodriguez.”
Rodriguez is also wanted in Texas for an aggravated robbery where a .45-caliber handgun was fired, according to the criminal complaint.
If you have information about Rodriguez, call the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office at 651-385-3155.
— David Henke covers city, business and youth issues. He can be reached at dhenke@northfieldnews.com or 645-1100. |
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