Rochester men charged in burglary of Muslim community center

Two men are facing charges following a burglary and theft at a Muslim community center in Rochester, Minnesota. According to court documents, the incident occurred on the evening of August 25.

Security footage identified the suspects as 60-year-old David Joseph Loethen and 60-year-old Steven Joseph Drahos. The community center, described as a religious non-profit, had an unlocked front door due to ongoing construction. Authorities report that the suspects entered the building without authorization and broke into a donation box, stealing between $600 and $700.

During questioning, Drahos admitted to taking $20 from a basket inside the center, while Loethen denied taking anything, claiming Drahos instructed him to remove a box containing various items from the building. Drahos is charged with third-degree burglary, a gross misdemeanor, while Loethen faces second-degree burglary of a religious building and third-degree burglary. Both men were released without bail and are scheduled to return to court next month.