St. Paul Police Officer Charged With 14 Felony Burglary Counts Alleging Repeated Thefts From Bloomington Cub Foods
Published: May 8, 2026
TWIN CITIES, MN: A Tommy Lee Adams police officer with the Saint Paul Police Department has been charged in Hennepin County with 14 felony burglary-related counts after investigators alleged he repeatedly entered a Bloomington Cub Foods store after hours and stole merchandise while using insider knowledge from his former employment in retail loss prevention.
According to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Hennepin County District Court, Adams is charged with 13 counts of third-degree burglary and one count of attempted third-degree burglary.
Court records show Adams, 41, is scheduled to make his first court appearance on May 21, 2026, at the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility in Minneapolis.
Investigators Allege Burglaries Spanned Nearly A Year
According to the complaint, the investigation began after a Cub Foods loss-prevention investigator discovered an empty Gatorade bottle in a secure loss-prevention office at the Cub Foods at 8421 Lyndale Avenue South in Bloomington. The investigator reportedly found it suspicious because no one should have accessed the office after the trash had previously been emptied.
A review of surveillance footage allegedly showed an unknown male entering the store through a secure side entrance on August 24, 2025, before accessing a locked loss prevention office, manipulating security cameras aimed at the beauty section of the store, and later returning with merchandise that investigators say was bagged and removed through a fire exit leading directly to the parking lot.
Investigators stated there were no signs of forced entry, leading Cub Foods loss prevention staff to believe the suspect had prior knowledge of the store’s systems, security layout, and staffing patterns. Employees reportedly identified the suspect as Adams, who previously worked in Cub Foods’ loss prevention for approximately 15 years before leaving the company in 2017 to become a full-time St. Paul police officer.
Authorities allege similar incidents occurred on 13 separate occasions between Nov. 5, 2024, and Aug. 24, 2025, with an additional attempted burglary alleged on Sept. 27, 2025.
Surveillance, Vehicle Data, And Social Media Allegedly Linked Adams To The Incidents
According to investigators, loss prevention personnel reviewed surveillance footage from multiple incidents and allegedly observed the suspect repeatedly entering the building through secure doors, accessing the loss prevention office, redirecting cameras, taking merchandise, and loading items into what appeared to be a dark-colored Jeep Cherokee parked in a consistent location in the parking lot.
The complaint states that open-source records connected Adams to a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee bearing Minnesota license plate LBG861. Investigators also allegedly compared surveillance images to photographs posted on a Facebook account under the name “Lee Tom,” which investigators identified as belonging to Adams.
The complaint alleges that investigators identified similarities between clothing worn in the surveillance videos and clothing shown in social media photographs, including a distinctive tri-colored hat, jackets, and winter apparel.
Investigators further alleged that cellphone location data associated with Adams’ phone placed the device in the vicinity of the Cub Foods store during each of the alleged incidents. According to the complaint, analysts determined the phone frequently traveled from an area near Adams’ St. Paul residence to the Bloomington Cub Foods location and then returned home during the timeframe of the alleged burglaries.
Search Warrants Executed In November 2025
The complaint states that agents with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension executed search warrants on Nov. 18, 2025, involving Adams’ vehicle, residence, and personal property.
According to court documents, investigators allegedly recovered:
Cub Foods shopping baskets
Reusable grocery bags
Foldable totes
A key allegedly capable of opening the Cub Foods human resources and personnel office
Clothing allegedly matching the apparel seen in surveillance footage
Hats and bags allegedly similar to those observed during the incidents
Investigators also reportedly seized Adams’ personal and work cell phones while he was working a community outreach assignment as a St. Paul police officer.
The complaint further alleges that apartment surveillance footage captured Adams wearing clothing consistent with the clothing worn by the suspect during some of the alleged burglaries.
Alleged Merchandise Included Health And Household Items
According to the complaint, loss-prevention investigators alleged that the suspect frequently targeted products such as vitamins, protein powder, protein bars, workout supplements, and diapers. Investigators noted those items were allegedly consistent with Adams’ lifestyle and family circumstances.
Authorities also alleged the suspect used shopping baskets, reusable bags, and collapsible totes to transport merchandise from the store without paying. Investigators stated surveillance footage did not show the suspect attempting to purchase items during the incidents.
Employment Background Referenced In Complaint
The complaint states that multiple former Cub Foods supervisors and asset protection employees identified Adams as the individual seen in the surveillance footage. One former supervisor reportedly told investigators he had “no doubt” the suspect shown in the videos was Adams based on his appearance, body type, walk, and knowledge of the store’s security systems.
Investigators alleged Adams previously had access to master keys and key boxes during his time working in Cub Foods’ loss prevention.
The charges remain allegations, and Adams is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Photo Credit: St. Paul Police/Facebook.