Police: Rosemount Man Broke Into Ex's Home, Drank Beers in Her Garage

A Rosemount man who held his ex-girlfriend hostage last year and threatened to kill himself in front of her faces new charges after he allegedly broke into her garage on April 30.

Thomas James Rourke, 42, faces one felony count of third-degree burglary, one gross misdemeanor count of stalking and two other misdemeanor counts following the incident, which police say took place at the ex-girlfriend's home. If convicted on the burglary charge, Rourke could face a maximum of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Police were dispatched to the victim's home at 2:45 a.m. on April 30, after the victim discovered Rourke in a window well outside her basement bedroom. The woman told officers she had been sleeping when she heard knocking on the window. After her dog began barking, she got up to see Rourke jump down into the window well outside the bedroom. At that point, police say Rourke told the victim he wanted to come inside to talk to her.

Instead of letting him in, the woman called police. When police arrived, officers allegedly located Rourke inside the victim's garage.

Rourke appeared to be highly intoxicated, and several empty beer cans were scattered on the floor, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County Attorney's Office. The victim later told police the beer cans were not hers.

Police say the victim filed a restraining order against Rourke after he held her hostage in her home and threatened to kill himself with a shotgun during a Dec. 11, 2011 incident. During that incident, a SWAT team responded to to the home to apprehend Rourke.

Rourke is currently being held in the Dakota County Jail. His next court date is scheduled for May 21.