On June 7, 2025, at about 8:53 A.M., Officer Pearson of the Rochester Police Department responded to a theft call at a store located on Broadway Avenue South in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. The theft call notes indicated a stolen debit card was used at the store on 06/04/2025 at about 3:22 P.M. For $30.25 and also at a gas station located in northwest Rochester for $38.44 the same day. Upon arrival, Officer Pearson spoke with the store manager (an adult female identified in the police reports and herein referred to as Witness.
Officer Pearson reviewed a video footage provided by the witness showing the suspect using the stolen card. Officer Pearson recognized the suspect from previous law enforcement contacts and identified as William Joseph Blanchard [DOB REDACTED]. Officer Pearson also reviewed a video footage from the gas station and observed the suspect was Blanchard and was wearing the same outfit from the earlier theft at the store. Blanchard was previously convicted of gross misdemeanor theft in Olmsted County Court File Number 55- CR-23-2749 and ••-CR-••-•••• on 09/07/2023. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: YOU MUST APPEAR FOR EVERY COURT HEARING REGARDING THIS CASE. FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR COURT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING IMPOSED AND PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 609.49.
