Woman Arrested for Second Burglary at Abandoned Maywood Township Building

(KNSI) — Less than a week after two people were arrested for allegedly breaking into an abandoned building in Maywood Township, a woman was arrested for committing a second burglary at the same address.

According to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, just after 12:00 p.m. December 27th, someone called to report a possible burglary in the 16000 block of Ironwood Road Northeast. They saw a black Volkswagen SUV with three people walking from the property back to the vehicle, and they gave operators the license plate number. Deputies found the SUV and stopped it on Highway 23 and Ronneby Road Northeast. A 19-year-old St. Cloud woman was behind the wheel, with an 18-year-old man from St. Cloud, two 17-year-olds, and a 16-year-old also in the vehicle.

A press release says the woman entered the building with the 18-year-old, while a 17-year-old boy stayed outside. The others remained in the SUV. Police say she gathered up several items and brought them to the vehicle, where they were found during the traffic stop.

Investigators say the woman told them she went to the property after hearing of the first break-in on December 21st.

She was arrested and taken to the Benton County Jail, where she is awaiting her initial court appearance. KNSI News does not typically name suspects until they have been formally charged.

The sheriff’s office says the others in her SUV were surprised they could be charged for exploring abandoned properties. Entering a building without consent, even “just to explore the property,” is a crime. Trespassing is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. If someone enters a building without consent and commits another crime while inside, such as theft or criminal damage to property, a burglary has been committed. Depending upon the severity of the crime, a burglary conviction is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to a $35,000 fine.

Sheriff Troy Heck says, “Aside from the criminal aspect of this behavior, there are serious safety concerns present in abandoned structures. It is common to find physical hazards inside derelict buildings that teens or young adults may not recognize or take seriously. This case is a lesson to all to respect the property rights of others and only enter private property with permission. Failure to do so could result in criminal consequences or serious injury.”

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