Man arrested for Rochester burglaries appears on 9 new charges

(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: A man accused of breaking into two Rochester homes Sunday appeared in Olmsted County Court.

Ian Okot Ajal, 25, faces nine charges related to the alleged Oct. 20 burglaries.

Ajal was charged with the following felonies in court Oct. 24: 3 counts of 1st-degree burglary; 1 count of 1st-degree attempted arson; a count of 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon; a count of terroristic threats; a count of 1st-degree damage to property–foreseeable risk of bodily harm.

He was also charged with gross misdemeanor 5th-degree criminal sexual conduct and misdemeanor 5th-degree assault.

Ajal also appeared in court on charges dating back to 2022 and 2023 — one DWI case, and one case involving fleeing police and obstructing the legal process.

According to his 2024 charging documents, police responded to 52nd Street NW at about 1:20 p.m., where they found Ajal pinned to the ground.

A man said he had just arrived home, when a child ran out to the driveway and said someone was in the house.

When he entered, the man allegedly saw Ajal pouring gasoline all over the kitchen and stove.

The man claimed Ajal threatened to blow up the house, tried to hit him, then turned the stove on in an apparent attempt to ignite the fuel.

The man pinned Ajal to a couch, then dragged him out of the house after a dog bit the suspect, according to court documents.

He told another child to go inside and turn off the stove, according to court documents.

Rochester police also claim Ajal was involved in an earlier burglary that day — but no other residence is mentioned in his Oct. 24 charging documents.

He is currently held at the Olmsted County ADC on $150,000 bail or bond, with or without conditions.

—–PREVIOUS STORY—–

Man arrested in Rochester for burglary, police say he was in a “drug-induced psychosis”

Man arrested in Rochester for burglary, police say he was in a "drug-induced psychosis"

(ABC 6 News) – A man is behind bars in Rochester for an alleged burglary, Rochester police said Thursday.

According to a press release from the Rochester Police Department (RPD), the incident happened on October 20 just after 1 p.m.

Officers were reportedly dispatched to an active burglary at a home on the 25– block of Georgetowne Dr. NW. The victim said a man wearing a mask went through the back door and stole a bag or oranges.

The man then fled on foot towards 52nd St. NW, RPD said.

As Rochester police were responding, a man entered the home and screamed while dumping gasoline in the kitchen, according to the press release.

One of the victims reportedly confronted the suspect, who was later identified by RPD as 25-year-old Ian Ajal from Rochester.

Ajal was dragged outside by the victim. A dog at the home also bit and injured Ajal during the confrontation.

According to RPD, officers determined Ajal was experiencing a “drug-induced psychosis.” He was transported to St. Mary’s for treatment.

Ajal faces first-degree burglary charges.