ROCHESTER, MN– An Illinois man accused of posing as a roofing contractor to burglarize Olmsted County homes appeared in court Thursday.
Andy Bimbo, 35, of North Chicago, is charged in Olmsted County District Court with two felony counts of aiding and abetting first-degree burglary.
According to the criminal complaint, a group of men posed as roofers in May and gained access to at least two homes by claiming the roofs needed repair. While one suspect distracted homeowners, others searched through drawers and personal belongings, stealing cash and accessing sensitive documents.
On May 30, Olmsted County deputies were called to two separate homes for similar incidents. In one case, three men convinced a couple their roof was leaking and claimed to check for water damage inside. The group left a flyer for “5 Stars Construction” before departing in a black pickup truck. The couple later discovered about $300 in cash missing.
At another home, surveillance footage showed two men carrying flyers and a clipboard. Investigators identified them as Bimbo and Cody Luigi Frank, 21, of Schaumburg, Illinois. In the recording, Bimbo asked a homeowner to show him shingles on the roof while Frank, wearing gloves and a headlamp, entered a bedroom and rifled through drawers.
Investigators also linked Jason Leo Frank, 47, of Elgin, Illinois, to the scheme. Court documents describe the trio as a traveling burglary crew known to operate in multiple states.
Cell phone records placed a black Dodge Ram tied to the suspects in Olmsted County at the time of the burglaries.
Charges were filed Sept. 16. So far, only Bimbo has appeared in court. Warrants remain active for the other two men.
On Sept. 26, Senior Assistant Olmsted County Attorney Pakou Moua filed a motion seeking an aggravated departure from state sentencing guidelines, arguing the group deliberately targeted elderly homeowners, making them “particularly vulnerable” victims.
