Cottage Grove Resident Charged in Connection With 2025 Burglary Attempt at Rosemount's Celt's Irish Pub
Published: July 27th, 2026.
ROSEMOUNT, MN: A Cottage Grove resident has been charged with two felony burglary counts in Dakota County District Court in connection with an attempted burglary at Celt's Irish Pub in Rosemount that investigators say was part of a broader series of metro-area burglaries.
According to a criminal complaint, Justin Kariakis Valencia, 37, of Cottage Grove, has been charged with:
Second-Degree Burglary (Possession of Burglary Tools), a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $20,000.
Third-Degree Burglary (Intent to Commit Theft or Felony), a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred during the early morning hours of August 23, 2025, at Celt's Irish Pub, located on South Robert Trail in Rosemount.
Alarm Leads Officers to Damaged Business
According to the complaint, Rosemount police officers were dispatched to the business at approximately 5:08 a.m. after an alarm was activated. When officers arrived, they discovered the building's southeast side door had been completely shattered, with broken glass scattered outside. Officers searched the business but found no suspects inside.
Investigators observed that pull-tab boxes appeared to have been rummaged through and that a safe inside the office had been tipped over.
Surveillance Video Captured Break-In
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from inside the establishment, which allegedly showed two male suspects arriving at the southeast entrance.
According to the complaint:
One suspect used a crowbar to smash open the glass door.
Both suspects entered the building and searched pull-tab cash drawers.
Finding no money, they walked through the kitchen area into an office where a safe was located.
One suspect allegedly attempted to pry open the safe with the crowbar while the other reportedly tried using what investigators believed was a putty knife.
After being unable to open the safe, the pair attempted to carry it away, but dropped it to the floor before abandoning the effort and fleeing.
The burglary reportedly lasted only about six minutes, occurring between 4:53 a.m. and 4:59 a.m.
Phone Records Allegedly Linked Defendant to Business
According to prosecutors, investigators later identified Valencia as a suspect while investigating what they described as a rash of burglaries across the Twin Cities metro area.
Law enforcement obtained records associated with a cellphone allegedly belonging to Valencia. Investigators say the device contained several internet searches conducted shortly before the burglary, including:
A search for "Celt's Pub located at 200 3rd Street in Farmington."
A Google search for "bars near Farmington, MN."
Google Maps directions to Celt's Irish Pub & Grill in Rosemount.
The complaint states those searches occurred between approximately 3:50 a.m. and 3:52 a.m. on the morning of the burglary.
Investigators also reviewed cellphone tower information that allegedly showed the phone traveling south from St. Paul toward Dakota County shortly before the burglary.
Text Messages Included in Complaint
The complaint also references text messages exchanged between Valencia's phone and a contact identified as "Torch."
According to court documents, one message sent from Valencia's phone stated:
"It's 3 of us..."
Prosecutors allege the messages were exchanged while the suspects were traveling toward Dakota County.
Investigators further allege cellphone location data placed Valencia's device:
Near Highway 52 north of Coates shortly before the burglary.
Near Celt's Irish Pub around the time of the break-in.
Approximately 0.9 miles from the business at about 5:18 a.m., shortly after the burglary occurred.
T-Mobile records reportedly placed the device in approximately the same area.
Prosecutors Allege Defendant Participated in Burglary
Based on surveillance footage, cellphone records, internet searches, GPS information, and other evidence outlined in the complaint, prosecutors allege Valencia participated with at least one other individual in breaking into Celt's Irish Pub and attempting to steal money from the business.
The criminal complaint states the suspects were ultimately unsuccessful in opening or removing the safe.
Court Appearance Scheduled
According to Dakota County court records, Valencia is scheduled to make his first appearance on August 25, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. before Judicial Officer Tracy Perzel at the Dakota County Judicial Center.
Charges Are Allegations
The criminal complaint contains allegations filed by prosecutors. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
