SIBLEY COUNTY — A 56-year-old Florida man who admitted to committing about 2,200 commercial burglaries in 23 states, according to court documents, was charged with two counts of felony 2nd-degree burglary and felony attempted 2nd-degree burglary in Sibley County District Court Friday.

Joseph C. Hodge, Jacksonville, Fla., was accused of burglarizing JB Lures, Inc., and The Country Drive-In, both located along State Highway 15, on the east edge of Winthrop late in the evening of June 24 or early June 25. In addition, Hodge is accused of attempting to burglarize Hahn’s Dining & Lounge in downtown Winthrop on the same dates.

At JB Lures, a large bar was used to pry open a door and a deadbolt was broken out. A camera was stolen from inside the building, according a Sibley County Sheriff’s Office peace officer.

At The Country Drive-In, a front door was forced open with what appeared to be a bar and a deadbolt was broken out. About $175 in cash was taken from the business.

Surveillance video at Hahn’s Dining & Lounge showed a bald white male about six feet tall, 250 pounds, in his 50s or 60s, wearing a white buttoned shirt and shorts, who walked to a side door and threw a brick at the door to gain entry.

Law enforcement compared surveillance from other area burglaries committed about the same time and identified the suspect as Hodge. Based on consultation with other agencies and comparing area burglaries, a vehicle was identified as being associated with Hodge. The same vehicle was identified traveling in Winthrop at the time the burglaries occurred.

Investigators confirmed that Hodge pawned a camera in Jacksonville, Fla., that matched the camera taken from JB Lures.

Hodge was later apprehended in York County, Maine. In a mirandized statement, he admitted to pawning the camera believed to be stolen from JB Lures. In addition, Hodge recalled taking the camera and other details of the Winthrop burglaries.

Admitting he stole about $100,000 in cash in about 2,200 commercial burglaries in 23 states, Hodge recalled committing multiple burglaries at two fuel stations and a family restaurant after he entered Minnesota from North Dakota on June 24.

In addition, he admitted committing burglaries in Marshall, Fairfax and Winthrop before entering McLeod County where he spent the night, according to court documents.

Currently in custody in York County, Maine, Hodge has several extraditable warrants for similar conduct in several states. A nationwide arrest warrant for Hodge was requested in the Sibley County complaint.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.