Repeat Felon Charged in Downtown Minneapolis Burglary
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A 34-year-old man is facing felony charges after investigators say he broke into a downtown Minneapolis commercial building and was found inside with burglary tools and stolen property.
The incident happened shortly after 12:25 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at a commercial building on the 300 block of 4th Avenue North in Minneapolis.
Jeremy Leroy Jenkins, who is listed as homeless, is charged with third-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court.
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According to the complaint, Minneapolis police responded after an alarm was triggered at the building. A woman connected to the property told officers she received an alarm notification and checked security cameras, where she saw someone inside who was not authorized to be there.
Investigators say surveillance video showed the suspect pulling hard on a damaged exterior door to gain entry. Police say the suspect then walked up a stairwell and checked multiple suite doors before opening one and entering.
Officers and the reporting party arrived shortly after the alarm and located Jenkins inside the building, according to investigators. Police say Jenkins told officers he “just opened the door.”
Officers searched Jenkins and reported finding a pry bar, screwdriver and utility knife in his outer clothing. Investigators also reported Jenkins had a backpack and told officers he had taken a small saw blade from inside the building.
Jenkins was arrested and booked into the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility. Jail records show bail was set at $5,000 with conditions or $20,000 without conditions. Court records show his next scheduled appearance is March 3.
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Court records show Jenkins has an extensive criminal history that includes multiple felony convictions. In 2025, he was convicted in Hennepin County of giving a peace officer a false name or birthdate. Records show he was also convicted in Ramsey County in 2025 of misdemeanor criminal damage to property tied to a December 2024 incident.
Jenkins was convicted in Ramsey County in 2024 of misdemeanor theft involving taking or using property without consent stemming from a December 2023 offense.
In 2024, Jenkins was convicted in Hennepin County of felony fifth-degree assault involving two or more prior assault convictions within three years. Court records show an additional felony assault count in that case was dismissed.
Records show Jenkins was convicted in Hennepin County in 2022 of felony threats of violence.
Jenkins also has multiple violent felony convictions from 2020. Court records show he was convicted of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon causing substantial bodily harm after investigators said he stabbed a man during a robbery attempt in downtown Minneapolis. Records from that case show the victim suffered a stab wound and head injuries and required hospital treatment.
Jenkins was convicted in 2020 of fourth-degree assault involving demonstrable bodily harm to a correctional employee, probation officer, prosecutor or judge.
Earlier records show Jenkins was convicted in 2014 of felony third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm in Hennepin County.
If convicted in the current case, Jenkins faces up to five years in prison on the burglary charge and up to three years in prison on the burglary tools charge.
