Two people are now facing felony charges following a months-long police investigation that linked them to a string of early-morning garage burglaries in St. Paul’s Highland Park and Mac-Groveland areas. Investigators say teams raided garages and unlocked vehicles between midnight and 6 a.m., stealing e-bikes, power tools, and lawnmowers. Authorities said surveillance video and vehicle identification were critical in linking suspects to the break-ins.
The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office has charged Christopher Michael Novotny, 21, and Cortney Marie Howard, 30, with various felony offenses, according to the Pioneer Press. Novotny is charged in 13 incidents and Howard in nine, with court records describing stolen e-bikes and yard equipment among the things named. Police say they served a search warrant at a Minneapolis home where Howard was arrested, and Novotny was apprehended after briefly fleeing officers.
According to detectives, a car with temporary license plates seen leaving some of the burglary scenes, along with Ring and other surveillance footage, helped turn early clues into specific suspects. Sgt. Brian Townsend told the Pioneer Press that he had “linked the pair to about 50 burglaries,” while Cmdr. John Cajacob lauded police efforts over several months. Officers say they later found the vehicle in south Minneapolis and utilized that information to secure search warrants, which resulted in additional evidence.
The criminal complaint describes a pattern that investigators believe they discovered: suspects allegedly used stolen or purchased license plates on stolen cars to obscure registrations, as well as engaging in what investigators refer to as “car shopping” – checking unlocked vehicles for valuables and garage door openers. Ring-camera footage allegedly showed Howard in a garden with her face and distinguishing tattoos visible, and police claim they recovered at least some of the stolen stuff as the case developed. According to court filings, the equipment seized included e-bikes, power tools, and lawnmowers.
According to the prosecution documents, both defendants face felony counts for residential burglary, Novotny in 13 cases and Howard in nine. Howard’s attorney, Tyler DeHaven, told reporters that she is assumed innocent and deserves fair treatment in the justice system. The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the cases, and court records will include arraignment dates as well as a complete list of charges.
Police say the charges and arrests are a significant step forward in a months-long investigation, but they caution that the investigation is still ongoing as they review evidence and pursue leads. St. Paul police officers are requesting anyone with knowledge on similar break-ins to contact investigators so that they can complete their investigation. Officials said the wave of thefts serves as a reminder to citizens to secure garages and remove valuables from their vehicles.
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