At around 10:15 PM on February 2, 2026, DESHAUN MARQUISE PARKER [DOB REDACTED] went to Speedway at [ADDRESS REDACTED], Maplewood, Ramsey County. An employee, RC [DOB REDACTED], asked Parker to leave his backpack by the front door per store policy. Parker refused saying he was only going to be in the store for a few minutes, and RC let him keep his backpack. When Parker took more than a few minutes staff again asked him to leave his backpack by the door. Parker said staff was harassing him. RC explained she wasn’t harassing him but just following store policy.
Parker said, “I’m just going to steal,” and he placed items inside his backpack. RC and another employee, MB-C [DOB REDACTED], tried to stop Parker from concealing items. RC called 911 because Parker grabbed and pushed MB-C. RC stood in front of the door and asked Parker for the store merchandise back. Parker refused and said, “You need to move before you get hurt. Don’t try to be a superhero.” Some of the merchandise began to fall from Parker’s backpack, and RC and MB-C tried to recover the stolen items.
Parker pushed both female employees several times and fled with merchandise. RC had small cuts and scratches on her fingers from struggling with Parker. MB-C said Parker got upset and was verbally aggressive when they explained the store policy on bags. Parker walked around the store and said, “I’m just going to steal it anyways then.” Parker concealed items in his bag, and MB-C tried to remove them. MB-C followed Parker around the store trying to stop him from stealing additional items. Parker told MB-C not to touch him.
Parker tried leaving the front doors, but RC blocked his exit. Parker pushed and shoved RC and MB-C. MB-C said Parker slammed them against the door. MB-C had cuts on her fingers and redness and swelling on her left cheek from struggling with Parker. RC pointed out Parker walking away to officers. Officers stopped and arrested Parker. Parker still had an unopened can of Fanta from the store in his backpack. The can of pop was returned to the store. Parker was advised of his constitutional rights and agreed to speak to police.
Parker said he was immediately harassed by employees as if he was going to steal something. Parker got fed up and decided to steal because of the employees’ harassment. Parker took candy and drinks and put them in his backpack. Two female employees stood by the door and stopped Parker from leaving. Parker was able to walk past them out of the store. Parker said they grabbed the back of his hood and pulled him back into the store. Parker said the employees had recovered the items he had taken. Parker wanted to press charges against the employees who grabbed him and kept him inside the store.
Parker complained that the employees were very unprofessional with him. Parker expressed the mistaken opinion that employees are not allowed to touch shoplifters and instead are supposed to let shoplifters leave with stolen merchandise and call the cops. Parker said he could have assaulted the employees, but he didn’t because they’re women and he’s a small male. Parker has a prior aggravated robbery in the first degree conviction.
