FAIRMONT — A Fairmont man is facing felony charges in Martin County. Robert Lugo Jr., 33, has been charged with one count of burglary in the third degree and one count of theft. Both charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the complaint:

On February 12, 2021, Fairmont police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of Webster Street on a report of a motor vehicle theft. An officer spoke with an adult female who was identifed as a family member of the female alleged victim.

The woman advised the officer that her relative had left work around 7 a.m. on February 11, and returned at 5 p.m. that evening. She indicated that her relative carpools to and from work with another individual, and that her vehicle, a black Chrevrolet Equinox, was in her garage before she left for work. She stated that when she entered the garage on February 12, the vehicle was gone.

The woman advised that she suspected it was Lugo who had stolen the vehicle. She advised that Lugo was aware of where her relative kept the keys to her car and was familiar with the code to enter the garage.

The woman also advised the her relative was missing a Bank Midwest Debit card. She indicated she reviewed the activity on the card and observed that the card had been used at the Casey’s General Store in Welcome on February 11, as well as the Bomgaar’s store in Estherville, Iowa on the same date.

The officer later observed surveillance fooage from the Casey’s transaction, and observed a vehicle matching the description of the relative’s vehicle. The video showed a female and a male party entering the store soon after. The officer recognized the male party to be Lugo.

Later on February 12, officers responded to the Kwik Trip in Fairmont, on a report that Lugo had been sighted. An officer arrived on scene and spoke with Lugo, who admitted to using the credit card, stating he had permission to use it. He indicated an acquaintance had borrowed the vehicle and he was under the impression that the acquaintance had returned it.

On February 13, an officer was contacted by the first woman, who advised that she had made a Facebook post requesting the community’s assistance in locating her relative’s vehicle. She indicated she was contacted by a male party who advised that the vehicle was in his possession. The man stated he was unaware that the vehicle was stolen and he was willing to help her get it back.

The officer then spoke with the man, who advised that he had been looking for a vehicle to buy for spare parts. He indicated that Lugo had reached out to him, and he purchased the vehicle for $400. The vehicle was later retrieved and searched by law enforcement.