WORTHINGTON ― A Worthington man was in police custody last week on charges of multiple home burglaries.
Bryan Cowdin, 38, was arrested following a report of a break-in in rural Nobles County. The criminal complaint alleges that Cowdin called a person known to him and asked to borrow a car jack, but was told no.
About half an hour later, the homeowner arrived home to discover Cowdin in the kitchen eating a sandwich. The victim told law enforcement they believe Cowdin made the initial call as a way to see whether they were home, adding that it had been previously established that Cowdin was not welcome in that residence.
The victim also stated that after Cowdin left, they noticed missing items from the home ― 10 gallons of gas from the shop and about $200 in cash from a closet.
Cowdin allegedly admitted to a Nobles County deputy that he had entered the home through the sliding porch door and taken $120 and two gallons of gas, stating that he intended to repay the victims upon receiving his government stimulus check.
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Cowdin was arrested on charges of first-degree burglary and theft, for which he faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison and/or a $35,000 fine, as well as a mandatory minimum sentence of six months.
Upon his arrest in this case, Cowdin was also informed of an active warrant for his arrest on a separate burglary charge from June 2019. In the 2019 case, a victim alleges that Cowdin was knocking on the door of their Cynthia Avenue residence late at night. When the occupant came to the door, they said Cowdin entered without invitation and refused to leave.
The criminal complaint further details that Cowdin lay on top of the victim at one point and asked for a hug. After the victim pushed him off, he allegedly made an obscene remark and again refused to leave, staying inside the residence until the next morning.
For this incident, Cowdin was charged with first-degree burglary, trespassing and disorderly conduct. First degree-burglary carries a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison and/or a $35,000 fine, as well as a mandatory minimum sentence of six months.
Cowdin told the court on May 26 that he was unaware of the 2019 charges against him and had thought the incident was resolved with an order for protection. He also did not receive communication from the court because the court had a previous address on file.
Cowdin is being held in Nobles County Jail with concurrent bail set at $10,000 with conditions or $35,000 without conditions.
