Rochester Robbery Suspect Has Prior Armed Robbery Conviction

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The man accused of an armed robbery at a Rochester convenience store last weekend was previously sent to prison for an armed robbery in Austin.

Fifty-four-year-old Miguel Angel Rodriguez was formally arraigned today in Olmsted County Court on charges of first-degree aggravated robbery, two counts of second-degree assault, and illegal possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a crime of violence. The charges stem from a holdup that occurred last Saturday night at the Marathon Apollo Convenience Store at the corner of 4th Street and 11th Avenue Southeast in Rochester.

Employees Describe Terrifying Encounter

According to the criminal complaint, Rochester police officers were dispatched to the business just before 9:50 p.m. on Saturday on reports of an armed robbery. When they arrived, the officers spoke to two employees. They told investigators that a robber dressed in all black clothing, including a black mask and black gloves, pointed a gun at them while demanding cash. One of the employees also reported being struck on the head by the robber, who threatened to kill him if he failed to comply.

The court document says the robber fled from the business with an estimated $1,300 in cash. Surveillance video shows the robber getting into the passenger seat of an SUV before the vehicle drove away from the scene. While searching for the suspect and the SUV, the criminal complaint says officers discovered a magazine for a 9mm handgun containing ammunition near the entrance to the parking lot.

Surveillance Video Leads Investigators to Suspect

The criminal complaint says investigators were able to identify the SUV, which was registered to Rodriguez. That led to the execution of a search warrant at his southeast Rochester residence on Thursday and the recovery of clothing matching what the robber was wearing during the holdup.

Investigators also spoke to a woman at the residence. She stated that she drove Rodriguez to the gas station to get some food and then picked him up after he had been inside the store. She also indicated “that she suspected Rodriguez was doing more than just picking up food from the station.”

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Prior 2013 Austin Robbery Highlighted in Court Records

Court records show Rodriguez was sentenced to more than 13 years in prison in 2016 after he was convicted of first-degree aggravated robbery, second-degree assault, and illegal possession of a firearm at a bar in Austin in 2013.

Bail for Rodriguez is set at $500,000.

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