Eastside Defender

Two tales of crime from Jimmy’s Bar in the Holland neighborhood show the importance of being aware of your surroundings and always being vigilant:

First, a robbery:

Minneapolis police are investigating the reported theft of about $1,300 from a fundraising event over the weekend.

The money was taken outside of Jimmy's Bar in Minneapolis Saturday night. The victim was a 45-year-old Andover woman for whom the fundraiser was held, police said Sunday. The event was held to help her pay for medical bills from a recent stroke and surgery. The robbers apparently grabbed the woman's purse when she briefly went outside the bar.

Police Sgt. Jesse Garcia said it is not unusual for thieves to stake out such fundraisers in hopes of making off with some of the cash.

If you’re not sure if you are a potential victim, you are one.

And if you think strangers might know you have cash (or easily sold presents) with you, try not to be alone.

The second tale comes via an acquaintance:

A patron was at Jimmy’s playing pull tabs. He had a $100 winner. A waitress came over and said she would cash the ticket for him.

Except she wasn’t a waitress. She cashed out the winning and walked out the back door.

Holiday season is the most active for scammers and short-con artists. Don’t let the bad guys use your good cheer against you.