Suspected Family Theft Ring Arrested in Stearns County

(KNSI) – A mother, father and son are accused of stealing catalytic converters in Rockville.

A Stearns County Deputy says they were on routine patrol around 5:30 a.m. on November 23rd when they noticed a pickup truck with Texas license plates parked at a storage facility on 234th Street, just off Broadway Street. The deputy knew there had been a series of storage unit and catalytic converter thefts in the area and decided to investigate.

Inside the truck were 45-year-old Zulema Coronado Arguijo and a one-year-old child. She told the police she was having truck problems and broke down. The deputy didn’t believe the woman and started investigating further. The officer could see the truck’s ignition was taken apart and appeared to be a stolen vehicle. According to the criminal complaint, the deputy learned there was a warrant for Zulema’s arrest out of Kandiyohi County and allegedly found a small amount of methamphetamine in her possession. Deputies looked in the back of the truck and found multiple catalytic converters and tools used to cut or remove them.

While Zulema was being taken into custody, a younger man identified as Leandro Arguijo approached the scene and said she was his mother. He was allowed to leave the scene after refusing a ride back to St. Cloud. According to investigators, as the sun started rising, they noticed two sets of footprints in the snow and followed them to several trucks parked outside Minnerath Construction, a short distance away. Deputies say four of the five trucks parked there had their converters taken.

Police went to search for Leandro and found him near the scene where he was arrested. Leandro told police his father, Ramero Arguijo, was with him at the time of the thefts. Police say Ramero was arrested walking in stocking feet in Cold Spring later that day.

Zulema was charged with 5th-degree drug possession. Leandro and Ramero were charged with theft and first degree criminal damage to property.

The toddler was placed with another family member.

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