When three burglars broke into Northeast Yacht Club the morning of May 13, they cut a square hole into the business’ window and popped out the glass block in order to gain entry. The three masked thieves carried equipment like a grinder to crack safes as they calmly but quickly walked the rooms of the oldest continuously operating Northeast bar, opening cabinets and searching for loose cash.
“They went through everything and they were quick,” said Todd Parker, Northeast Yacht Club owner.
While the thieves attempted to crack Yacht Club’s safe using a grinder, they were unable to open it, walking away instead with a few thousand dollars in cash that was left outside of the safe.
The incident was not the first, nor the last in a string of up to 15 business break-ins that Minneapolis Police are investigating as a “pattern of commercial burglaries.”
On Christmas day 2025, thieves broke into Broken Clock Brewing where they stole the safe along with cash from the pull-tab machine. While the thieves did trip the business’ security alarm, by the time police arrived, they were gone.
On May 7, thieves walked away with the safe from the manager’s office at Lush Lounge and Theater. The burglars were in and out of the theater in just a matter of minutes.
A day later, thieves broke through the glass door of Que Viet restaurant.
“We’re grateful this happened while we were closed and that no one on our staff was harmed — and thankfully, the egg rolls are safe too … rest assured we are open and ready to serve you,” said Que Viet in a Facebook post about the theft on May 8.
In the past six months, up to 15 businesses have been broken into around the Northeast Minneapolis area. Some business owners have turned to community fundraising to offset costs incurred in the burglaries. After a break-in, Que Viet, 2211 Johnson St. NE, remained open with the door boarded to cover the broken glass. (Que Viet)
Just a day after Northeast Yacht Club was burglarized, the thieves moved across the street to Elsie’s on May 14.
Other businesses including Dogwood Coffee, Cuppa Java (at 400 Penn Ave. S,), Marco Sandblasting Co. and Indeed Brewing have also reported break-ins.
Larceny/theft offenses in Minneapolis are up 9.6% in 2026 from the previous year and 9% from the three-year average according to data from the Minneapolis Police Department.
While Northeast businesses owners have been discussing the break-ins, the overall profile of the string of robberies remains too low, said Parker. “How come no one is warning the businesses?”
While many businesses like the Northeast Yacht Club have insurance that will cover damages sustained from burglaries, high deductibles can keep business owners paying for repairs.
For Parker, the cost of the theft is close to the business’ deductible meaning replacing the window the thieves shattered may come out of pocket.
“It all depends on how much it costs to replace the wall,” said Parker.
Other businesses like Lush have been supported by community fundraisers to offset damages.
Parker recommended that businesses hide their safes and for everyone to keep an eye open for suspicious activity in the area.
“If you see anything, call the police,” Parker said.