Owner of Mendota Liquor Pleads with Thieves to Stop Targeting His Store

A small Dakota County business is hit hard by burglars who tried to blow-torch their way into their liquor store.

And it's not the first time, the break-in early Tuesday morning is the third time in just eight months thieves hit the same Mendota Heights liquor store. And now the owner is begging the burglars to stop targeting his store.

"We have a family to feed, we have a kid to feed, I don't know how to tell you anymore, I've had enough. Please stop," pleaded Jaarasak Poopsakumpanart, owner of Mendota Liquor.

It's part of a dramatic rise in burglaries in the county.

According to the Dakota County Sheriff, burglary rates are almost double in Dakota County when compared to the same time last year. Last year the county had 15 burglaries, this year they're at 28.

With the early start to spring Sheriff Dave Bellows believes the bad guys have sprung into action early.

The Hennepin County Sheriff tells KSTP that property crimes are up 11 percent in the first quarter of 2012 compared to last year, which includes burglary, theft, auto theft, and arson.

Ramsey County says business burglaries are down compared to last year but home and garage burglaries are up.
 

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