Prison sentences are next for a duo from Minneapolis whose months-long vehicle break-in spree hit the brakes when they targeted an FBI agent's SUV.
Career criminal Milton C. Rucker Jr., 39, was convicted Friday at federal court in Minneapolis of using the credit cards and cash that were pilfered during the break-ins. Jurors found Rucker guilty of bank fraud, being a felon in possession of an FBI agent's stolen firearm and aggravated identity theft.
His cohort, Tania M. Thompson, 35, pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.
Thompson admitted that she and Rucker had been breaking into cars for the past five months. But then on July 22 they broke into a Ford Explorer parked on W. Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis that happened to belong to an FBI agent.
Gone were his pistol, FBI credentials, badge and personal credit cards. Video surveillance from a gas station and a Target store in Brooklyn Park showed Thompson using one of the credit cards. Investigators tracked the suspects that night to a Minneapolis apartment.
The agent's gun was found five days later by Brooklyn Park police.
Rucker faces potential sentences that include 30 years in prison for conspiracy and life in prison for being a felon in possession of a weapon. Thompson faces potential sentences of 30 years for conspiracy and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft.
Their sentencings have yet to be scheduled.
