The Pioneer Press reported Tuesday that a St. Paul man lied to police about having knee surgery, in an attempt to avoid burglary charges.
A burglary occurred at a Grant Avenue gallery Friday night. St. Paul K-9 officers chased the suspect to an apartment complex.
They found John Howard Schlesky, 48, sitting in a wheelchair in the apartment. He explained to police that he just had knee surgery, so he couldn't be the suspect, said Sgt. Paul Schnell, a spokesman for the St. Paul police.
Police discovered clothing in Schlesky's apartment that had the gallery's tags. He was then arrested on the charge of third degree burglary, according to the criminal complaint from Monday.
Along with items from the gallery, police found other stolen goods in Schlesky's apartment, according to the complaint and Schnell.
Schlesky was convicted of attempted burglary in1984, burglary in 1992 and 2002, felony theft in 1987 and 2001, as well as theft of a motor vehicle in 2001, according to state court records.
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