St. Paul chef burglarized again; suspects seen on surveillance video

A popular and generous St. Paul chef is dealing with his sixth burglary in just over a year.

The St. Paul Police Department says it’s still investigating after Brian Ingram’s business office was burglarized over the weekend — Ingram is the owner and chef of Hope Breakfast Bar.

Around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Ingram watched the burglary as it was happening on his surveillance system.

"When my phone goes off at 2 or 3 in the morning, you just have that pit in your stomach, you’re like, ‘Not again, not again,’" Ingram said.

"When you’re watching the videos, and the people in the camera, you feel so violated," Ingram added.

Ingram said the suspects stole a laptop and briefcase.

Shortly after Sunday’s burglary, Ingram posted about it on Facebook. Along with posting stills of the suspects, he expressed frustration and called on elected officials to help with the trend of burglarizing businesses and stopping repeat offenders.

The day was supposed to begin with a celebration, not a burglary investigation. Sunday, Ingram also opened a new location in St. Louis Park’s West End.

The new Hope Breakfast Bar will not only allow more people to enjoy their food but also let Ingram and his team expand their generosity. Part of their proceeds go towards Give Hope, Ingram’s charitable organization that helps feed those in need.

"This is not good that businesses in our community are being hit repeatedly," St. Paul Ward 7 City Council Member Jane Prince said. "Ingram has suffered a number of these kinds of hits."

Prince tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS more patrol officers could help curb this type of crime. She supports accepting grant money that was recently awarded to St. Paul by the U.S. Justice Department.

The St. Paul City Council and mayor still need to accept the money and authorize some matching funds officially. If approved, the SPPD will get $3.75 million to hire 30 new officers.

Prince also said some of her colleagues at City Hall have connected with county leaders about another concern of Ingram’s: repeat offenders. The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office on Monday told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS it could not speak to that.

You can share information that can help the SPPD with the burglary investigation via CrimeStoppers of Minnesota.