BEMIDJI, Minn. — Two people have been charged with felony burglary and theft after allegedly stealing about $30,000 from an elderly man’s home in Beltrami County.
Joshua Allen Church, 37, of Roseau, and Amelia Rose Shockley, 30, of Bemidji, were charged Sunday in connection with the November 29 break-in at a residence on 2459 1st Street East.
The burglary was discovered by the victim’s brother, who had been checking on the home while the owner stayed in a care facility. Court documents report pry marks on a safe containing cash and a small metal box with additional money. The brother had recently added $2,500 to the safe.
Investigators found black and gold gloves near the safe, a crowbar with a red handle by the front door, and a business envelope marked “House Deed” on the kitchen counter.
Authorities tracked Church to the Super 8 Motel in Bemidji, where he was detained at 9:45 p.m. Church initially claimed he won $6,000 at a casino, but later admitted he had received cash from Shockley and participated in the burglary alongside Shockley and an unidentified male. Church reportedly acted as a lookout, while Shockley and the male used a crowbar to access the residence.
A search of Church’s motel room recovered $8,300 in cash hidden in a bed’s box spring, as well as needles and a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine.
Shockley was arrested at the SouthShore Hotel, where authorities recovered about $4,000 in cash on her person. She admitted being inside the residence during the burglary while Church used the crowbar. Church had $1,565 in cash at the time of booking.
Both Church and Shockley are currently in custody at Beltrami County Jail.
