Sep. 23—ROCHESTER — A Rochester man who burglarized multiple homes dumping gasoline in one has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Officials say Ian Okot Ajal, 26, was likely in a drug-induced psychosis when he broke into multiple homes in northwest Rochester in October 2024. He was sentenced in Olmsted County District Court Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.
Police were called to the 2500 block of Georgetowne Drive Northwest on Oct. 24, 2024 for a report of a burglary in progress. A man wearing a mask entered the back door, stole a bag of oranges and fled on foot toward 52nd Street Northwest, police reported.
While officers were responding, another burglary in progress was reported from a home on the 2400 block of 52nd Street Northwest. A man who lived at the home said he had just arrived home with one of his children when Ajal reportedly entered the home holding a red gas can and started spreading gasoline in the kitchen including on the stove. Three other children who were home at the time also witnessed the incident. Ajal then began throwing dishes around the kitchen. The man who lived there then confronted Ajal and dragged him outside and waited for law enforcement to arrive.
In a written guilty plea to a charge of first-degree burglary, Ajal acknowledged he was under the influence of drugs. A charge of attempted arson, multiple other burglary charges and assault charges were dismissed in the case.
An attorney in the case said District Court Judge Christa M. Daily concluded the offense was too severe to not impose a prison sentence. Ajal was given credit for serving 329 days in jail.