Safes Cut Open, Cash Stolen in Saint Paul Coffee Shop Burglary
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A burglary alarm drew Saint Paul officers to a coffee shop early Wednesday, where police say a woman hid in the basement after cash was taken and two safes were cut open.
Officers were sent to Phe Coffee, 289 5th St. E., around 3 a.m. on Dec. 3 and saw a person moving inside even though the exterior doors were locked.
They couldn’t reach a key holder, so Saint Paul firefighters helped officers get into the building, court documents say.
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Inside, officers found cash scattered across the floor, decorations knocked down and condiments dumped on tables. A trail of money led down the stairs to the lower level. Officers called out, and a woman answered from the basement. Police say she made comments about their tone and asked if they could “make a deal” because she didn’t want to go to jail. She also claimed the owner had given her keys, the documents said.
The woman, later identified as Taylor Joy Rasch, 33, eventually came into view and was taken into custody. Police say she refused to provide her name and had $683.69 in cash on her when she was searched.
Downstairs, officers found two damaged safes in the bathroom next to a Skilsaw circular saw and loose metal shavings on the floor. A cash drawer taken from the upstairs counter was found nearby and had also been cut open.
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Investigators later spoke with the owner of Phe Coffee, who said his shop closes at 4 p.m. and shares an interior door with Bullvino’s restaurant. He told police he believes Rasch hid in the basement before closing time, waited until both businesses were locked up, then moved around and triggered the alarm. He denied knowing Rasch and confirmed that both safes and the cash register were damaged.
When investigators went to the Ramsey County Jail to interview Rasch, jail staff said she was still in booking because she was uncooperative and appeared to be under the influence of drugs.
Rasch is charged with third-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools. Prosecutors say she entered the building without permission and either intended to steal or carried out the theft once inside. The burglary charge carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine. The theft tools charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison or a $5,000 fine.
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