These 29 Twin Cities Bars Were Hit In A Massive Pull Tab Cash Heist

TWIN CITIES, MN — Twenty-nine bars and restaurants across the Twin Cities metro area were hit in a coordinated burglary ring that stole nearly $200,000 meant for youth sports, veterans’ groups, and other community causes, according to state officials.

Eight men now face felony charges after a 14-month investigation led by Minnesota’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement (AGE) division. The group is accused of targeting pull tab gambling funds, cash raised for charity, from businesses in both the Twin Cities metro and greater Minnesota.

“When you’re paying to open up a pull tab, you don’t want your money ending up in criminal hands,” said AGE Director Carla Cincotta in a news release. “These alleged criminals weren’t just stealing money — they were stealing from kids, from families, from veterans, and from programs that build stronger communities. Thanks to the solid investigative work of our agency and law enforcement partners, we stopped this group in their tracks.”

The charges, filed April 18 in Hennepin County, include 44 felony counts of second-degree and attempted second-degree burglary and theft.

Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement investigation

The investigation began in August 2023 when state gambling agents started noticing a pattern: bars and restaurants with pull tab operations were being burglarized across Minnesota. Over the next 14 months, investigators uncovered a coordinated theft ring allegedly led by 50-year-old Arron Scott King Sr. of St. Paul, police said.

According to authorities, King ran the operation out of his home, directing accomplices to break into businesses and steal cash meant for local charities and community groups.

The crimes took place between March 6, 2023, and Feb. 22, 2024.

King is accused of identifying the targets, while others scoped out the locations and carried out the break-ins using tools like pry bars and sledgehammers to get into pull tab booths and locked safes.

The stolen funds were for charitable activities, including:

• American Legion organizations in communities such as Howard Lake and Stillwater
• Champlin-Dayton Athletic Association
• Eastview Hockey Association
• Elk River Lions Club
• Hopkins Raspberry Association
• Irish Football Boosters
• Jefferson Athletic Foundation
• Monticello Youth Hockey Program
• Rogers Youth Hockey Association
• Roseville Youth Hockey Association
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4210 Forest Lake

The restaurants and bars attacked include:

• Wild Boar in Hopkins
• Cowboy Jack’s in Otsego
• American Legion in St. Louis Park
• Wildcats in Eagan (burglarized twice)
• Broadway Bar & Pizza in Elk River
• VFW Post #1215 in Rochester
• Full Tilt in Bloomington
• American Legion in Chanhassen
• American Legion in Monticello
• American Legion in Howard Lake
• American Legion in Stillwater
• Blainbrook Bowl in Blaine
• Stout’s in Falcon Heights
• Big Louie’s in New Brighton
• Bogart’s in Apple Valley
• Mama G’s in Corcoran
• VFW in North St. Paul
• The Clover in Rosemount
• Dunham’s in West St. Paul
• VFW Post 4210 in Forest Lake
• Country Lounge in Gem Lake
• Keller Golf Course in Maplewood
• Faribault Country Club in Faribault
• Kelly’s Korner in Centerville
• Spring Street Tavern in Minneapolis
• Broadway Bar & Pizza in Plymouth
• Gallagher’s Bar in West St. Paul
• Cherry Pit in Saint Paul
• American Legion in North St. Paul

Authorities say the investigation involved more than 20 law enforcement agencies across Minnesota and included search warrants, surveillance footage, phone records, and interviews with suspects and associates.

Officials credited the collaboration for helping bring the burglary ring to a halt, and for protecting the charitable dollars that support youth programs, veterans, and community events across the state.