Police catch burglar in Payless Foods

Clear Lake police officers responding to an alarm at Payless Foods around 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning, Sept. 29, found 30-year-old Chughtai Raheel inside the office area. 

Raheel, who resides at 2400 South Shore Drive, Lot #51, Clear Lake, surrendered to officers when confronted.

Police Chief Greg Peterson said no forced entry to the store was found and evidence at the scene indicates that Raheel may have entered the store during business hours and hid inside the building until he assumed it was safe to come out. 

Store personnel responding to the scene found substantial damage to the wiring system, telephone system, cameras and computers in an apparent attempt to silent the alarms.

Raheel was charged with Second Degree Burglary, Second Degree Criminal Mischief  and Possession of Burglar Tools.  

He was transported to the Cerro Gordo County Jail where he is currently being held.