Antique Store Thief Hid in Furnace Closet

On July 9, Judie Lynn Kotek, 55, allegedly concealed herself within a furnace closet at Pottery Place Antiques in Red Wing, Minnesota. After the store's owner locked up for the evening, Kotek reportedly emerged and proceeded to steal valuable items. The stolen merchandise, including sports collector cards, Pokémon memorabilia, antique coins, and jewelry, was valued at more than $2,600. Security footage from July 10 showed Kotek using shelving brackets to force open display cases and filling a paper bag with the stolen goods. She is reported to have exited through a fire door. Kotek faces felony charges for second-degree burglary, third-degree burglary, and theft, along with a misdemeanor charge for trespassing. Attempts to locate her at her Red Wing apartment have been unsuccessful, and a warrant for her arrest has been issued. Court documents indicate Kotek has previous convictions for burglary, theft, and receiving stolen property between 2020 and 2025.