Rochester Woman Charged in Series of ‘Porch Pirate’ Mail Thefts

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester woman was arraigned today in Olmsted County Court on seven felony charges following her arrest Monday in connection with a series of mail thefts in southeast Rochester.

According to court documents, Rochester police were dispatched to a southeast Rochester home Sunday evening to investigate a report of mail theft. A homeowner reported that a package had been stolen from her front steps on Saturday and that the theft was captured on her home’s security camera.

Security Camera Captures Mail Theft in Southeast Rochester

The video shows a middle-aged white woman walking up to the door and taking the package before riding away on a bicycle.

Get our free mobile app

The criminal complaint says Rochester police also responded just before 2 a.m. Monday to another residence in southeast Rochester. In that case, a person on a bicycle was spotted using a flashlight to look at mailboxes. The responding officer located 52-year-old Connie Lyn Ziemann riding a bike while holding a flashlight and carrying a bag.

The officer reported that, while speaking with Ziemann, he noted inconsistencies in her explanation of her activities and that her description of her travels on the bike matched the locations of the reported mail thefts.

Police Recover Stolen Items From Seven Victims

The charging document says Ziemann was found in possession of numerous items linked to mail thefts from seven individual victims in the area. The criminal complaint says that, following her arrest, Ziemann admitted she was involved in the theft from the first victim and stated that she took other packages from nearby homes.

She is charged with seven counts of felony mail theft. Her bail was set at $20,000.

More Minnesota News:

• Suspected Faribault Business Burglar Facing Charges
• Rochester Man Accused of Knife Threat Held on $100K Bail
• Update: Police Release Name of Boy in Serious Bike Crash