Police: Ramsey Man Attempted to Steal 'Honor Box' at Park

A man was arrested after a Ramsey Police Officer caught him allegedly stealing an “honor box” at Rum River Central Park.

The officer said he was at the park around 7:15 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13, when he saw 44-year-old Richard Dennis Gilligan of Ramsey using a bolt cutter to cut the lock off the box at the entrance to the park. An honor box is where after-hour visitors deposit entrance fees.

The police officer said Gilligan threw the bolt cutters under his pickup when he spotted him. When interviewed, the suspect admitted he was trying to steal the money.

Because Anoka County Parks has seen similar thefts throughout the summer, the police executed a search warrant at Gilligan’s house. They found a $1,500 radio that had been missing from an Anoka County park building.

Gilligan has been charged with one count of Possession of Burglary or Theft Tools and one count of Receiving Stolen Property.

If convicted, Gilligan faces up to three years in prison and $5,000 in fines for the possession charge and up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines for the stolen property charge.