On February 18, 2026, officers responded to a reported theft at the Municipal Liquor store in Brooklyn Center, Hennepin County, Minnesota. A male, previously identified as James Leon Combs [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein came to the store and entered an employees-only area of the store and retrieved a case of Espolon tequila valued at $306.30 and left the store without paying. Visible signs were posted noting the area was for employees only and no trespassing as allowed. The Defendant was identified through a previous incident that occurred on January 16, 2026, where store management identified the Defendant through a photo lineup.
Store management reported that a male entered a backroom of the store, an employee’s only area, and stole a case of Espolon Blanco liquor valued at $266.33. The male emptied the case, concealing all 12 bottles in his jacket. Once the male re- entered the main store area one of the bottles fell from his jacket but did not break. The male then picked up the bottle and re-concealed it inside of his jacket. The male went to the cashier and pretended to attempt to pay for a bottle of soda but stated it was too much money and didn’t want to pay.
The male then left the store with all bottles of liquor. The Defendant did not have consent to enter the area. It was an employee's-only area. The door to the area was unlocked and there were no signs stating it was employees only. However, store management stated that reasonable customers know it is an area closed to the public. Store management recognized the male from a previous incident where he stole a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey, but was not reported. The Defendant is currently in custody on unrelated charges.
Therefore, the State requests the complaint issue by warrant.
