Probation Violation Puts Rochester Porch Pirate Behind Bars

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A local "porch pirate" has been ordered to spend a few months in the Olmsted County jail for violating the terms of his probation.

22-year-old Parker Atherton was sentenced to three years on probation without any additional jail time after he entered guilty pleas to felony mail theft and felony theft charges in April. He was accused of stealing two packages from the front porch of a home in Rochester last September and a luxury bracelet from the Rochester Macy's Store in March of this year. Court records indicated the bracelet had a value of more than $2800, while the items stolen from the homeowner were worth around $330.

In the "porch pirate" case, the criminal complaint says an Olmsted County deputy recognized Atherton as the suspect when reviewing a video recording of the theft. Investigators also recognized Atherton from previous law enforcement contacts when they viewed the security camera recordings from the Macy's Store theft.

Court records show Atherton had seven previous theft convictions and a conviction for second-degree burglary. Following a probation hearing violation hearing on Thursday in Olmsted County Court, Atherton was ordered to serve a 210-day jail sentence, although he was given credit for the 16 days he has spent in jail since his arrest for the probation violation and will be allowed to enroll in the Sentenced to Serve program.