STILLWATER - A man who sent a picture of himself burglarizing the home of a vacationing Cottage Grove family has been sentenced to jail and probation.
Rodney Charles Houska III, 21, of South St. Paul was convicted of second-degree burglary and sentenced April 4 in Washington County District Court.
According to court records, Houska broke into a Janero Avenue home July 28, 2015, while the family was vacationing in Mexico. Houska sent a photo of himself in the home to a friend of the homeowner’s daughter. The vacationing daughter then received a video message from her friend, alerting her of the break-in.
The family returned to find a screen opened on a kitchen window. Jewelry, electronics and credit cards were among the items missing.
Police determined that Houska had pawned some of the missing items, including a wedding ring.
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Police interviewed Houska’s cousin, who admitted he was with Houska when he broke into the home, the criminal complaint says. The cousin turned over other items stolen from the home.
Houska was given a 30-day jail sentence, with credit for nine days served,. He must complete five years of probation.
