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WORTHINGTON — A Worthington man is charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon after reportedly entering a Worthington residence while armed with a knife.
Worthington Police received a report on Oct. 1 that an adult male was threatening an individual with a knife and throwing rocks at the window of the complainant. Officers were provided a description of the suspect.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers observed an adult male who matched the suspect's description standing outside the house. He was later identified as Jose De Jesus Esparza Guevara, 32.
Guevara told officers that the resident of the home had his car and that he was trying to get it back, but that the resident wouldn’t answer his calls. Guevara said he had gone to the house and broken a window out of anger. He proceeded to tell officers multiple versions of what happened.
According to the criminal complaint, Guevara appeared agitated and was having trouble focusing or standing still.
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An officer spoke with the resident, who stated he had heard a window break and then saw Guevara in his house. Guevara reportedly had a knife and was yelling. The resident told officers that he hit Guevara’s arm with a knife and knocked the blade out of his hand.
Photos of the damaged window, the knife, and a rock that the resident believed Guevara had thrown through the window were all taken inside the house. The costs to replace the broken window and screen door were estimated at $500 and $50, respectively.
During Guevara’s arrest, he stated he didn’t go inside the house, though reportedly, he later admitted to briefly stepping indoors before going back outside.
At the jail, Guevara agreed to speak with law enforcement but reportedly struggled with the details of events and told officers multiple versions of what happened.
He was booked into jail, and his bail was set at $20,000. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Oct. 18.
If convicted, Guevara faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and/or a $35,000 fine on the burglary charge. The second-degree assault charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and/or a $14,000 fine. Additionally, Guevara faces a gross misdemeanor count of property damage, which carries a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment, a $3,000 fine or both.
