On May 19, 2026, at 10:22 A.M., Brooklyn Center officers responded to the Cub Foods, located at [ADDRESS REDACTED] 10 in Brooklyn Center, Hennepin County, Minnesota, regarding a reported assault involving a shoplifting incident. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the reporting party, who advised that the suspect assaulted multiple Cub Foods employees and fled the location on foot toward the area of Northport Elementary School near 55th Avenue North and Brooklyn Boulevard. Officers responded to the area of the suspect’s last known location and observed a female matching the provided description walking through residential backyards.
Officers detained and placed the female under arrest. The female verbally identified herself as Ziona Monarch Iris Dancy ([DOB redacted], hereafter “Defendant”). Defendant was searched incident to arrest without further incident and placed in a squad car. Officers were able to confirm Defendant’s identity, along with two felony assault warrants. The first felony assault warrant number was 26413078 and the second felony assault warrant number was 26413077. After securing Defendant, officers returned to Cub Foods to continue the investigation, obtain statements, and collect evidence.
Officers first spoke with S. K. R., hereafter “Victim 1,” and A.M. P., hereafter “Victim 2,” both employees of Cub Foods. Victim 1 stated he was alerted by a cashier that Defendant entered the store carrying multiple bags and proceeded toward the detergent aisle, which employees identified as a frequent theft area. Victim 1 stated Defendant did not take merchandise from that aisle but was later observed taking a bag of Cheetos and a jar of Tostitos dip. Victim 1 stated he observed Defendant proceed toward a back-room area of the store containing an exit.
Victim 1 and Victim 2 approached Defendant and asked her what business she had in the store that day, but Defendant ignored both employees. Victim 1 stated he attempted to stop Defendant from exiting the store with unpaid merchandise. Victim 1 further stated that Defendant pushed Victim 2 out of the way and struck him in the face while continuing to maintain possession of the merchandise and attempting to leave the store. Victim 2 stated she was also struck in the face by Defendant while attempting to prevent Defendant from exiting with unpaid items.
Victim 2 reported Defendant struck her with both an open and closed fist, causing her glasses and nose ring to fall off. Victim 2 indicated the force used against her occurred while employees were attempting to stop Defendant from leaving with the merchandise. Officers observed minor [NAME REDACTED] reported assault and took photographs of Victim 1 and Victim 2. Officers reviewed surveillance video provided by Cub Foods. In the video, officers observed Defendant walking into the back area of the store while being followed by two employees.
