A 19-year-old Woodbury man, Frank Gums Jr., has found himself at the center of a series of criminal incidents. Last year, he was given three years of probation for stealing a significant amount of cash, around $20,000 to $30,000, from the popular Egg Roll Queen food truck parked in South St. Paul. The incident unfolded when he opened the driver's side door of the food truck and grabbed a backpack containing the previous month's business proceeds along with jewelry, checkbooks, and electronics. His guilty plea to the felony theft charge came on the very day a trial was set to begin.

Community Impact and Victim's Story

The Egg Roll Queen food truck is run by Mai Vang, who is highly regarded on St. Paul's East Side for her community work, including litter pick-ups. Vang had to give up her career in the insurance field in 2015 after losing most of her hearing without warning. She then switched to egg roll sales, which she was already familiar with from her charitable fundraisers. The theft of her hard-earned money was a significant blow to her business and personal life. 2: Vang's quick action in calling the police on September 13, 2023, led to a series of investigations. Surveillance video from neighboring businesses played a crucial role in helping South St. Paul police officers track down the vehicle's owner and eventually connect Gums to the crime. The details of the theft and the subsequent police efforts paint a vivid picture of the impact such an act can have on a local business and community.

First Criminal Incident and Its Consequences

Gums was given a stay of imposition as part of a plea agreement, meaning the conviction would become a misdemeanor as long as he complied with the conditions of probation. This plea deal also included no additional jail time beyond the 79 days he had already served. Judge David Knutson reserved setting restitution until community corrections determined the amount to be paid back. 2: The criminal complaint detailed how Gums had opened the food truck door and made off with the backpack. Surveillance video and the cooperation of other law enforcement agencies helped build a strong case against him. His actions not only affected Vang but also raised concerns about safety and security in the community.

Subsequent Criminal Cases and Bail

Court records show that Gums went on to pick up three more criminal cases in three different counties. In November, he was arrested in the Woodbury Costco parking lot for driving a stolen car with stolen plates. Officers found other stolen license plates and documents inside the car. Gums appeared to be impaired and admitted to using fentanyl just before driving to Costco. He posted a $10,000 bond and was released from jail. 2: In January, he picked up an auto theft charge in Ramsey County and posted another $10,000 bond. Later in April, he was charged in Hennepin County in connection with the theft of an Audi from a Discount Tire in Minnetonka and was released after posting a $15,000 bond.

Final Sentencing and Implications

In September, Gums was convicted of misdemeanor fourth-degree driving while impaired in the Woodbury case and given a 90-day jail sentence, which was stayed for two years of supervised probation. A felony charge of receiving stolen property was dismissed as part of a plea deal. 2: Last month, he reached a plea deal in the Minnetonka car theft case, with a 13-month prison sentence stayed for three years of supervised probation and 30 days of electronic home monitoring. On Monday, after his sentencing in the food truck case, he was in a Ramsey County courtroom for the January auto theft charge and was given a 15-month prison term, which was also stayed for three years of probation. He was ordered to serve eight days of electronic home monitoring beyond the 32 days he had already served in custody.These various criminal incidents highlight the need for stronger law enforcement and community support to prevent such acts and hold offenders accountable.