Minneapolis Man Charged After Allegedly Attempting to Rob Apple Valley McDonald's, Then Smashing Police Squad Window With Rock
Published: July 3, 2026
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - A Minneapolis man with a prior conviction for a nearly identical Dakota County robbery is facing new felony charges after prosecutors say he attempted to rob an Apple Valley fast-food restaurant by claiming he had a gun before allegedly throwing a rock through the window of an Apple Valley police squad car as officers arrived on scene.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, Richard Anthony Mouneu, 44, of Minneapolis, has been charged with:
Attempted Second-Degree Aggravated Robbery (Felony)
First-Degree Criminal Damage to Property – Public Safety Vehicle (Felony)
The incident occurred around 10:58 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, at one of the McDonald’s in Apple Valley. We are working to confirm which McDonald’s it was.
Officers Were Already at the Restaurant
According to the complaint, several Apple Valley police officers happened to be in the restaurant parking lot handling an unrelated incident when the alleged attempted robbery unfolded inside. As officers remained outside, they observed a man later identified as Mouneu exiting the restaurant while an employee followed behind him, pointing toward the suspect.
Initially, officers did not understand why the employee was pointing at the man. As they moved closer, however, they heard the employee shout that the suspect had a gun.
Employee Says Suspect Claimed He Had a Gun
Investigators say an employee working behind the cash register told officers the encounter began when Mouneu approached him and demanded money. According to the complaint, Mouneu allegedly told the employee he had a gun and ordered him to open the cash register.
The employee initially believed the suspect was joking, but became frightened after Mouneu repeatedly insisted that he was armed. The employee reportedly explained several times that he could not access the register without a manager's authorization code. Prosecutors say Mouneu continued insisting that he had a gun in his pocket while demanding money.
Although the employee never saw a firearm, investigators say Mouneu allegedly kept both of his hands inside his pockets throughout the encounter, reinforcing the threat. Eventually, Mouneu left the restaurant without receiving any money.
Rock Thrown at Police Squad
While officers were responding to the robbery report, the complaint states Mouneu walked near an Apple Valley police squad car. One officer reportedly heard what sounded like the suspect kicking the squad vehicle. Moments later, multiple officers allegedly watched Mouneu throw a rock through the passenger-side window of the marked squad car, shattering the glass.
He was immediately taken into custody.
Because the damaged vehicle was an active public safety vehicle, prosecutors allege the destruction created a substantial interruption of public safety services or a reasonably foreseeable risk of bodily harm, resulting in the felony criminal damage to property charge.
Prosecutors Cite Extensive Criminal History
Dakota County prosecutors requested high bail, arguing Mouneu presents an ongoing public safety concern. According to court filings, they requested bail be set at $50,000 without conditions, or $40,000 with conditions, which the judge ultimately agreed to and set.
Prosecutors noted Mouneu has an extensive criminal history, including multiple prior felony convictions. They also allege this offense occurred while he was already on release in another pending criminal case out of Olmsted County.
According to the bail memorandum, officers found an unused syringe during a search following Mouneu's arrest. Prosecutors state Mouneu allegedly told officers he used the needle for methamphetamine and admitted he had recently used meth.
Prior Dakota County Robbery Conviction
The new allegations closely resemble a December 2021 robbery at a Target store in West St. Paul. According to court records from that case, Mouneu approached an employee working in the electronics department, claimed he had a handgun, and demanded money from the register. The employee complied, believing he saw what appeared to be the butt of a handgun inside Mouneu's jacket pocket.
Investigators later determined Mouneu did not actually possess a firearm.
Police arrested him shortly afterward in the shopping center parking lot and recovered approximately $587 in cash. Officers also located a backpack allegedly belonging to Mouneu containing a glass pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue. After waiving his Miranda rights, court documents state Mouneu admitted he falsely claimed to have a firearm while keeping his hand inside his jacket pocket to make it appear he was armed.
He later pleaded guilty on July 14, 2022, to second-degree aggravated robbery and was sentenced to 49 months at the Minnesota Correctional Facility–St. Cloud, receiving 200 days of jail credit.
Separate Ongoing 2025 Criminal Case
Court records also show Mouneu faces separate charges in Olmsted County stemming from an October 2025 incident in Rochester.
Those charges include:
Fifth-degree controlled substance possession.
Introducing contraband into a correctional facility.
Disorderly conduct.
Obstructing legal process.
Providing a false name to a peace officer.
According to that complaint, Rochester police observed Mouneu involved in a fight outside a downtown bar before he allegedly ignored officers' commands, provided a false identity, and was later found in possession of cocaine after being booked into the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center.
Charges Are Allegations
The charges against Mouneu are allegations. Like all defendants, he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Pictured: Richard Anthony Mouneu. Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
