ALBERT LEA, Minn. – An Albert Lea man accused of a kidnapping and drive-by shooting has accepted a plea deal. Omar Rodriguez, 26, pleaded guilty Thursday to 2nd degree assault for a May 9 incident in the 1200 block of Gene Street in Albert Lea. Police say Rodriguez pulled up next to a man tending … Read more
The Federal Correctional Institution in Waseca is battling a COVID outbreak. The virus has spread like wildfire, and officials are being criticized for not doing enought to keep inmates safe, after one positive test in August led to 439 inmates contracting the virus in just three months. That’s according to a lawsuit filed by the … Read more
An Austin man accused in a child sexual exploitation case is scheduled to make his first court appearance Thursday in Mower County District Court. Erik Lee Roberts, 23, is facing additional criminal felony charges after he confessed to having sexual contact with other underage boys while being questioned by police regarding incidents of criminal sexual … Read more
Police are working to determine if two robberis in Austin two days apart are linked. The Austin Police Department says deputies responded to a report of an armed robbery Sunday at the Apollo III gas station on Oakland Ave. West, and another gunman held up the Dollar General on Fourth St. SW Tuesday. It was … Read more
(ABC 6 News) – The Albert Lea Police Department has released the name of a deceased man found in an apartment complex last month. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the human remeains as that of, 75-year-old Thomas Ernest who was found dead on November 29 at Shady Oaks where crews were responding to … Read more
(ABC 6 News) – A fire that burned down an Albert Lea warehouse December 3 was human caused. Fire officials said Tuesday the facility had no power, gas or utilities so the fire is believed to be from human interaction, but it could not be determined if it was started accidentally or intentionally. Fire officials … Read more
NORTHWOOD, Iowa – One of two Worth County Burger King empolyees charged with stealing from the business has been sentenced. Angelina T. Hamilton, of Mason City, was arrested in January after the Burger King at the Diamond Jo Casino reported more than $15,000 had gone missing. The 42 year old has been given three to … Read more
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – A stolen tabernacle has been returned to its rightful place at St. Theodore Catholic Church. Father Farrell reported the incident to the police but it was a congregant who helped find the tabernacle, after she noticed a woman pushing a shopping cart with the eucharist inside the basket. She was able … Read more
A Februrary sentencing date has been set for a 42-year-old Eden Prairie man in connection to a July shooting in Albert Lea. Arnoldo Barrientos Jr., who appeared via Zoom for his hearing, pleaded guilty Friday in Freeborn County District Court to second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. He reportedly went to the victim’s house on … Read more
(ABC 6 News) – Squatters could be to blame for a large fire that destroyed an abandoned building in Albert Lea. The blaze broke out at a vacant warehouse near the center of the city, the Albert Lea Fire Department Deputy Director confirmed in a news release Monday. He said nearby neighbors say they’ve seen … Read more