LAKEVILLE, Minn. — Officials are investigating a reported armed robbery at a Lakeville restaurant Monday night.

According to a press release, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office was called just after 10:20 p.m. Monday on a report of an armed robbery at the Red Fox Tavern on Pillsbury Avenue. Officials say the suspect entered the restaurant, demanded cash and left the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. Authorities say there were no injuries, but two employees were in the restaurant at the time of the robbery.

“This kind of crime is unsettling for our entire community, and our team is committed to thoroughly investigating and bringing those responsible to justice,” said Sheriff Luke Hennen in a release. “We encourage anyone with information to come forward and assist us in this investigation.”

According to a post on Red Fox Tavern’s social media page, the suspect pointed a gun at the two employees, forced them to tie their arms together with zip ties and duct-taped their legs together. The restaurant was closed Tuesday but is expected to reopen on Wednesday.

ROSEVILLE, Minn. — Over the weekend, more than 18,000 feet of copper wire were stolen from dozens of outdoor light poles in Roseville’s Central Park.

The City of Roseville said in a news release that copper wiring was stripped from 27 light poles between Lexington Avenue and Victoria Street on Saturday and could cost more than $70,000 to repair.

“This is particularly disheartening because so many residents rely on Central Park for physical activity and mental rejuvenation, especially during the fall and winter when the days are short,” said Roseville Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Johnson in a release. “We will do everything in our power to get this repaired as quickly and efficiently as possible, but it will be a significant undertaking.”

Copper wire thefts have been on the rise over the past few years, and have cost taxpayers millions to repair. St. Paul Rep. Athena Hollins and Sen. Sandy Pappas introduced a new bill in April to require Minnesotans to get a state license to buy and sell scrap copper wiring. The bill passed and will go into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

“People are stealing copper because a small number of businesses are looking the other way and not asking questions when they buy stolen copper,” Rep. Hollins told reporters back in April. 

Sen. Pappas said the goal of the bill is to remove the marketplace for stolen copper wiring, adding that licensed electrical contractors would be automatically licensed to sell scrap copper wiring, and do-it-yourselfers would be allowed to donate leftover copper to recyclers.

“Residents and businesses would still be allowed to recycle copper with scrap metal companies for free, and the thieves who’ve been gutting our public utilities will be locked out of the market where they earn most of their money,” said Pappas.