Man charged in July multi-business burglary scheme

RIO RANCHO — A man has been charged with 31 criminal acts in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque tied to burglaries at large businesses along the NM 528 corridor, according to court records.

James Kohut, 44, of Albuquerque, was summoned in four separate complaints filed in July and August by Rio Rancho and Albuquerque police for two counts of larceny, 10 counts burglary of a vehicle, 14 counts of criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, aggravated burglary, non-residential burglary, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle.

The complaints state that a series of burglaries occurred from July 1-6 at Extra Space Storage, DHF Technical Products, Awaken Church and US Cotton, all near the Northern Boulevard intersection of NM 528. Kohut also received charges in a burglary reported at businesses in Albuquerque during that time.

The investigation began July 5 at Extra Space. The complaint tied to that incident alleged that several vehicles and RVs had been broken into with signs of forced entry, missing property and multiple thefts. One owner reported stolen firearms, which escalated the severity of the incident, according to the report. There was a lack of information on the suspect at the time.

On July 7, officers responded to the Extra Space, DHF and US Cotton, which all provided surveillance of the suspect, later identified as Kohut.

They found that a gate had been cut at DHF. Footage provided by DHF on July 9 was reportedly choppy and didn’t clearly show Kohut stealing equipment there.

Also on July 9, Extra Space management claimed that Kohut entered the property through an unsecured gate, first taking minimal items on a motorcycle. They allege that he returned a second time in a truck, which was tied to the Albuquerque incident, and took larger items. The truck was reported stolen from Awaken Church along with an RV.

None of the complaints detail how US Cotton was involved but do name it as one of the impacted businesses.

Through the help of surveillance in both Rio Rancho and Albuquerque, the RRPD was able to interview Kohut at Metropolitan Detention Center Aug. 6.

Kohut, according to the complaints, stated he was relapsing and committed the burglaries as “a cry for help.” He said he wanted to be incarcerated so he could receive treatment for his addiction, according to the complaints. He stated he had been sleeping in a ditch near Extra Space because he kept some of his stolen property there.

Kohut could face more than 15-20 years and will have to pay fines if convicted and is scheduled for a presentment hearing later this month.