ARREST REPORT
SUMMARY:

REPORTING OFFICER’S NARRATIVE:
On April 5, 2014 at approximately 0030 hours, I was dispatched to Marquette’s Market, corner of Main St. and 1st St, Midtown, Minnesota for a possible burglary. I arrived on scene and made contact with the owner, Speedy Marquette. The owner provided the following statement.
Mr. Marquette stated he left around midnight on the night of the burglary. Mr. Marquette advised he locked the rear door, counted the register money ($910.00) and secured the money in a tan cloth bag labeled “Midtown State Bank” along with a Canadian five-dollar bill. Mr. Marquette stated he returned around 0025 hours to find the cash register broken and left opened and the cloth bag including the money and Canadian bill ($910.00) missing, He stated he found the rear lock door broken. Photographs were taken on scene for evidence and attached to this report. I conducted a fingerprint analysis of the entry door, cash register, rear door and hammer all with negative results for latent prints. The market did not have video surveillance on the premises.
While conducting my investigation the following information was obtained. Witness Waters advised he observed defendant Riff running from the rear door of Mr. Marquette’s business, dropping two dollars in the alley. He further advised Defendant Riff was wearing blue jeans and a blue band jacket. Witness Ripple stated he observed a male fitting the description of Ronnie Riff exiting the market around 0015 hours on the night of the burglary.
Based on eyewitness testimony Defendant Ronnie Riff was identified being on the scene at approximately between the hours of 0005 and 0010, around the time of the burglary and in possession of a hammer approximately 0010 and 0020 hours running away from the business’s rear door and throwing a tan cloth bag on the ground. Defendant Riff was in possession of a five-dollar Canadian bill. Should be noted Mr. Marquette employed Defendant Riff up until 3 weeks ago when he was fired and claims defendant has gambling debts. On April 6, 2014, I interviewed several witnesses and all witness statements are attached to this report.
On April 6, 2014 at approximately in the afternoon hours, I made contact with Ronnie Riff at his home; he waived his right to counsel and agreed to talk with me regarding the burglary at Marquette’s Market. He appeared fidgety and nervous while answering my questions. Ronnie Riff began to breathe hard and perspire profusely when directly asked about Marquette Market’s burglary. Ronnie Riff had on person the amount of cash missing, the Canadian five-dollar bill and the motive to burglarize Marquette Market’s.
Based on training and experience, probable cause exist for the breaking and entering and burglary at Marquette’s Market, I returned at approximately 1530 hours with an arrest warrant executed by Judge Ransom. Defendant Ronnie Riff was read his Miranda rights and he advised he understood his rights. Defendant Ronnie Riff was secured on scene; handcuffs were double locked and checked for tightness and transported to the Booking and Release Center without incident. Defendant Ronnie Riff property was left at the scene, secured in his apartment.
Mr. Marquette did not give the Defendant Ronnie Riff permission to remove money from his business establishment and he did not have permission to damage the rear door and gain entry. NCIC/FCIC confirmed no active warrants and no prior arrest history. Ronnie Riff is being charged with Burglary of a dwelling and breaking and entering. Evidence was secured and entered under property number # 123456. Supplemental reports and witness statements are attached and forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office.

INVESTIGATION:

Statement of victim/first investigation witness: Speedy Marquette
Speedy Marquette is the owner of Marquette’s Market. Ronald Riff worked for Speedy Marquette’s Market for about two years as a stock boy and part time cashier. Mr. Marquette stated that Riff would ask for an advancement on his paycheck about once a month, to cover gambling debts that he had. Riff was fired by Speedy Marquette because he was late for work. Upon being fired, Riff said to Marquette; “I’ll get you for this, and put your lousy store out of business too.”
On the night of the alleged burglary, Mr. Marquette stated that he locked up his store at midnight, including the rear door to make sure it was locked and turned off the lights; Mr. Marquette then exited the front door and locked it from the outside. After Mr. Marquette counted the money in the cash register that totaled $910.00, the money was then placed in a Midtown State Bank tan cloth bag and locked in the cash register. Mr. Marquette was going to deposit the money the next morning.
After forgetting his apartment keys on the counter, Mr. Marquette returned to his store at 12:25 P.M. As soon as Mr. Marquette entered his store, he saw that the rear door was smashed open, along with the cash register. The bag that contained the money was missing from the cash register. Midtown Police Department was then notified and Officer Schield arrived at 12:35 P.M.
Officer Schield of the Midtown Police Department returned the day after the alleged burglary and asked if there were anything unusual about the stolen money from the cash register. Mr. Marquette then remember that he placed a Canadian fiver dollar bill in the register the day prior.
Statement of second witness of investigation: Soapy Waters
Soapy Waters is a janitor at Mickey’s Diner and neighbor of the defendant, Ronnie Riff. At 12:15 A.M. Mr. Waters stated that he got off work and began to walk home. Since he lives on Riff Avenue, Mr. Waters decided to walk west down Main Street to First Street and then turned south on First (since he lives between First and Second Streets).
Mr. Waters then stated that when he got to the corner of First Street and the service alley that happens to run behind Marquette Market and some other business that are on Main Street, the defendant (Ronnie Riff) ran out of the alley and nearly knocked Mr. Waters down. Mr. Waters then yelled and asked what his hurry was and the defendant said, “None of your business old man.”
Mr. Waters did notice that Ronnie Riff was carrying a tan money bag in his right hand. After running into Mr. Waters, Riff dropped two one dollar bills out of the bag; and he did not pick them up, just ran towards his house down First Street, even after Mr. Waters yelled to him that he dropped something. Since the defendant ignored Mr. Waters warnings about him dropping the money, Mr. Waters took the money and proceeded to go to Tony’s for a few beers.
After leaving Tony’s a shortly after 1:00 A.M. Mr. Waters saw a squad car that was parked in front of Marquette’s Market. Mr. Waters then approached Officer Schield to find out what was going on. Officer Schield stated that Marquette’s Market was burglarized, probably between 12:05 and 12:25.
Mr. Waters then told Officer Schield about the defendant, Riff and the tan bag of money. Mr. Waters also gave a description of what Riff was wearing when he ran into him; blue jeans and blue jacket and the jacket was one of those band jackets the kids around town wear.

Statement of third investigation witness: Otis Ripple
Otis Ripple is the nightshift baker at Midtown Bakery for the past 22 years. The Midtown Bakery is located on the corner of Devotion Avenue and First Street; across the alley from Marquette’s Market.
On the evening of the alleged burglary, Mr. Ripple was working his normal night shift from 10:00 P.M. until 6:00 A.M. Since it was hot in the bakery, Mr. Ripple decided to take his break outside in the alley at 12:15 A.M, when he (Mr. Ripple) noticed a flickering light inside Marquette’s Market. Mr. Ripple was about to take a closer look when someone came out of the back door.
Mr. Ripple stated that he saw a person walk over to the southeast of Marquette’s Market and toss something in the vicinity of the trash cans between Art Own’s Hard Ware store. When the individual walked towards First Street, which was when Mr. Ripple thought he recognized the individual as Ronnie Riff. Mr. Ripple stated that he yelled, “Hi ya Ronnie!” That was when the individual started to run and then disappeared to the left down First Street.
At around 1:00 A.M. Officer Schield knocked on the back door of the bakery and told Mr. Ripple that it seemed there was a burglary at Marquette’s Market and wondered if he saw anything. Mr. Ripple told him he saw the individual throw something in the vicinity of the trash cans and Officer Schield and Mr. Ripple walked over and found a large hammer on the ground.
When asked by Officer Shield if he could positively identify the individual who he had seen, Mr. Ripple refused because he liked the defendant (Ronnie Riff) and could not be sure it was him who he saw.
Statement of fourth witness investigation: Rusty Fender
Rusty Fender has been the owner of Rusty’s Auto Body for the past 27 years, which is located on Main Street and Devotion Avenue. Mr. Fender normally closes his auto body shop at about 5:30 P.M. but, since he was working on a rush order, it was about 12:00 A.M. on the night of the alleged burglary that Ronnie Riff stopped by Mr. Fender’s shop.
Mr. Fender asked Riff how it was going and Riff stated, “Not good. I just won a few bucks over at Red’s but I need a lot more.” After standing around watching Mr. Fender for a few minutes, Riff said to Mr. Fender, “Hey Rusty, it sounds like someone pounding on your front door.” Since Mr. Fender was already pounding out a fender dent, he did not hear anything but, decided to check it out.
Mr. Fender then went to the front door but, no one was there. He (Mr. Fender) decided since he was in the front and already late, he wanted to call his wife and let her know he probably wouldn’t be home for another hour or so. When Mr. Fender returned to the back where he was working on the car, Ronnie was gone.
Along with Ronnie being gone, so was Mr. Fender’s hammer. He thought he may have left it in the front of his shop when he went to check on the door and called his wife but, it was not there either. A little after 12:30 A.M. Mr. Fender decided to leave for his home.
The next day, Officer Schield stopped by Mr. Fender’s body shop and said that he was investigating a possible burglary at Marquette’s Market from the night before, and asked if he (Mr. Fender) had seen anyone in the area. Mr. Fender proceeded to tell Officer Schield about talking to Ronnie Riff the evening before and that he had to lock up at 12:30 A.M. because he misplaced his hammer. After a few minutes, Officer Schield returned with Mr. Fender’s hammer. After Mr. Fender identified that is was his hammer, Officer Schield said they would have to keep the hammer for evidence.
Statement of fifth investigation witness: Melvin Strongram
Melvin Strongram is the owner of a local dairy store. Mr. Strongram has known the Riff family and has gotten to know Ronnie Riff from their times of playing poker together at Red’s. Mr. Stongram stated he likes to play poker at Red’s three to four times a week, along with Ronnie who is a regular there as well.
At the beginning of the night of the alleged burglary, Ronnie won a few hands but, the pots weren’t that big. Throughout the evening, the pots never got big. Mr. Strongram was the big winner of his table that evening and won about two hundred and eighty dollars. From about eleven o’clock on, Ronnie lost about six straight hands. In fact, Ronnie could not have won more than a few hundred dollars.
Around a quarter to twelve, Ronnie got up from his seat and said he needed to use the pay phone and to deal him out of this hand. That was when Jacques ran out of U.S. currency and started to use Canadian dollars. Mr. Strongram won the only hand that Canadian money was exchanged. After that, the game was disbanded because no one wanted to win Canadian money. Ronnie Riff returned after making his phone call and wanted to try to win his money back that he had lost. But, the game broke up and Ronnie Riff left Red’s by the alley door at about midnight.
Statement of sixth investigation witness: Marty Martini:
Marty Martini was hired to serve drinks to the players in the card room at Red’s Pleasure Palace. This card room is located in the back of Red’s Pleasure Palace, the main entrance of which is on the south side of the service alley that runs behind the building. He has been doing this ever since Midtown passed the law legalizing poker games. Mr. Martini states that Ronnie Riff, a regular at Red’s that he states he knew pretty well, came in the night of the alleged burglary at about 8:00 P.M
Upon first entering, Mr. Riff asked for change for a fifty dollar bill and stated, “I better win quick tonight, Marty, this is all I got.” Mr. Martini then states that Mr. Riff preceded to table one with his change where five others were currently playing poker, three of which were known to Mr. Martini: Ace Harte, Jacques Orbedder, and Mel Strongarm. Mr. Martini says that he visited the table approximately every 20 minutes or so to serve drinks and noticed that while Mr. Riff wasn’t losing any money he was winning much money either based on the bills in front of him. At approximately 11 pm, Mr. Riff went to the bar to purchase a pack of cigarettes. Mr. Martini asked how he was doing. Mr. Riff said that he was “a few bucks in the good, but not enough to retire on.”
The poker game broke up at about 12:00 that night. Mr. Martini states that Mr. Riff tried to convince the others to keep playing but they had all said no. Mr. Martini says he remembers thinking that Mr. Riff must not have done too well or he would have wanted to quit while he was ahead. Mr. Riff then went to the bar to change all the coins he had into paper money and had approximately $30.00 in change. After Mr. Martini gave Mr. Riff the money Mr. Riff said “Hey Marty, you got a bag I can have? I got a couple hundred bucks here and I don't want to lose it." Mr. Martini informed him that he did not have a bag and then Mr. Riff left via the alley door. It was approximately a little after 12:00 am when Mr. Riff left. The night after the alleged burglary at Marquette’s Market, I asked Mr. Martini about the card game. I informed him that Mr. Riff had told me he had won over $800 that night and Mr. Martini stated that it was closer to $150-$200 at the most.

Statement of seventh investigation witness: Betty Biddy
Betty Biddy is a nurse at Midtown Memorial Hospital. She works the evening shift in the coronary care unit. On the night of the alleged burglary she states that she finished work at 12:15 A.M., punched out on the time clock, and then walked to the hospital parking lot with a friend. She says they talked for a few minutes and then she got in her car and went home. Ms. Biddy lives two blocks from the hospital and says she got home around 12:25. She says that after getting her car in the garage, which is located behind her house, she noticed someone running towards her as she was closing the garage door.
Ms. Biddy says that her two floodlights on her garage were on and as such created a well-lit area of at least 35 to 40 feet in either direction. The person running towards her was coming from the east end of the alley and running to the west end. She states that when the person got about 30 feet away she recognized the person as her neighbor, Ronald Riff. Ms. Biddy does not believe Mr. Riff saw her as she was standing next to her garage back in the shadows. According to Ms. Biddy, Mr. Riff was wearing blue jeans and his navy blue band jacket. She says she has seen this jacket many times before. She described it as having the letters DWR on the front left hand side and it says “DEEP WATER REUNION” on the back in white letters. Ms. Biddy says that Mr. Riff was carrying a bag in his right hand at the time.
Ms. Biddy says she watched Ronnie run by her towards the back door of his house and that his whole back yard was lighted from her flood light. She states that before Ronnie got to his back door he stopped, opened the bag, and took something out of it. He then tossed the bag under the line of bushes between her property and his, and then he went into his house. Ms. Biddy then walked over to look at the bag and noticed that it was a tan colored cloth bag with the words “Midtown State Bank” on it. The next day Ms. Biddy was shopping on Main Street when she saw me. Someone had informed her I was investigating a burglary from last night. She asked the person “Was it the bank?” and states she asked that because she remembered the cloth bag that Ronnie had thrown away. She says she overheard me mention a bag of money and then informed me of what she had seen. We went to her house to look for the bag but it was gone. She then gave me a description of the bag that I wrote down.

Statement of the eigth witness: C. Sharp
Mr. Sharp owns and operates Sharp’s Music City on Devotion Avenue. He sells a variety of items including records, tapes, recorders, stereos, and musical instruments. Mr. Sharp says he has known Ronnie Riff for several months due to his interest in purchasing a new guitar from his store. Mr. Sharp states that approximately four months ago Mr. Riff gave him a $100.00 deposit on the guitar and promised to have the remaining amount ($875.00) in a few weeks.
Mr. Sharp states that since making the deposit Mr. Riff had been in the store a number of times, but never to pay off what he owes on the guitar. A week or so before the alleged burglary of the Marquette Market, Mr. Sharp informed Mr. Riff that he would have to refund his deposit because another buyer was interested in the guitar.
Mr. Riff then begged Mr. Sharp to hold the guitar for him and stated he would get the money to him somehow within a week. Upon discovering that Mr. Riff was recently fired from his job at Marquette’s Market, made very little from playing in his rock band, and that he gambled a great deal and usually lost, Mr. Sharp refused to sell him the guitar on a time payment plan.
Mr. Riff arrived at Mr. Sharp’s store the morning after the alleged burglary of Marquette’s Market. He arrived at approximately 10:30 A.M. and was carrying a large wad of bills containing mostly ones, fives and tens. Mr. Riff then proceeded to count out $875.00 in cash on the counter. Mr. Sharp refused to take one of the bills, a Canadian five dollar bill. Mr. Riff replaced it with a U.S. five dollar bill. When asked where Mr. Riff got all of the money he had stated that he had won it playing poker.
Later that day I went to Mr. Sharp’s store to interview him about the alleged burglary. Mr. Sharp informed me that he was at home at the time of the burglary and didn’t know anything about it. He did, however, tell me about all of the money that Mr. Riff had given him that day. Mr. Sharp then showed me the money and I noted the size of the bills. He also informed me about the Canadian five dollar bill that Mr. Riff had tried to give him.

Statement of the ninth witness: Guido Concertino
Guido Concertino is the owner/operator of the Midtown Dance Magic night club on Rt. 27, located three miles north of Midtown City. Mr. Concertino states he has owned the nightclub for three years and since the time of purchase has presented nightly live rock music in his dance hall. One of the rock bands to perform there is Deep Water Reunion and Ronald Riff is a guitarist in this band. Vibes Blare, a 35 year old resident of Midtown City is the manager of the band. Mr. Concertino says he witnessed a shouting match between Mr. Riff and Mr. Blare on a Wednesday night, approximately a week before the alleged burglary
According to Mr. Concertino the argument was started when Mr. Riff was late for Deep Water’s first show. When asked by Mr. Vibes where he had been, Mr. Riff admitted that he was playing cards at Red’s Pleasure Palace. Mr. Vibes then informed Mr. Riff that if he was late again he could find another band to play for and that he also had one week to get a new guitar or he’d be done with the band anyways. According to Mr. Concertino, Mr. Vibes stated that this sort of thing happened once too often with Mr. Riff.
When Mr. Concertino asked Mr. Riff what the argument was about, Mr. Riff said that Mr. Vibes had been after him for months to get a better guitar, that it would take $800 to get one, and that he had no way of getting that kind of money. The day after the alleged burglary of Marquette’s Market, Mr. Concertino was working on his books at the dance hall and heard someone pounding on the front door. He found that it was Mr. Riff who asked if he could practice with his new guitar in the dance hall. When Mr. Riff finished practicing Mr. Concertino asked how he got the guitar and that Mr. Riff stated it cost him over $900 altogether and that he had got “real lucky” the night before.

DEFENDANT’S VERSION/REMARKS:
Defendant Ronald Riff said he won over $900.00 in a poker game between 8:30 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. the night of the alleged burglary. Ronald mention witnesses Sally Slick, Vibes Blare, Jacques 0rbedder, Ace Harte and Red Chips all saw Ronald Riff win a great deal of money. He also called witnesses Matilda Slick and Gigi Gig and told them of his winnings also. Included in the amount of money Ronald Riff won, he said that one bill was a Canadian five dollar bill. According to Ronald, he borrowed a tan cloth money bag from Red's Pleasure Palace in which he put his winnings. Ronald said he left Red's shortly after 12:00 A.M. after winning the money and began to walk home. According Ronald he saw store owner Speedy Marquette in the alley behind Red's at that time, so Ronald took a hammer from Rusty Fender's to protect himself and his winnings. Ronald said, I have never stopped by Marquette's market but I did toss away the hammer at the point when I began to run home. According Ronald he approached his back door, he began to count his winnings. Also he tossed the money bag away as he began to count. Ronald said he had no motive to steal from Marquette's Market, he had won enough to pay off his debt to Vibes and buy his new guitar.

REPORTING OFFICER: Officer Terry Schield

DATE REPORTED: