HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 06-30 Dawn Marie Rassett, serial thief in east metro, back in prison STAR TRIBUNE Dawn Marie Rassett,serial thief in east metro,back in
EAST METRO
Dawn Marie Rassett, serial thief in east
metro, back in prison
Dawn Marie Rassett was convicted of stealing from churches,a
bakery and even a mortuary.She now faces more charges in
Washington County.
By Kevin Giles(http://www.startribune.com/kevin-giles/10644901/)Star Tribune
JUNE 30,2015—10:00AM
Serial thief Dawn Marie Rassett,convicted just five years ago for her east-metro
spending spree with stolen credit cards,is back in prison after another round of thefts
from fitness centers,churches and even a mortuary.
RassetYs recent criininal acts,for which she was convicted in Ramsey County,involved
victims in more than a dozen cities,criminal complaints show.Several other charges of
theft and financial fraud are awaiting court action in Washington County.
"This woman is just prolific and she's brazen,"said Laurie Anderson,a Washington
County prosecutor handling three of four cases against Rassett in that county."She has
no conscience."
Since 1997,Rassett has been convicted of 17 felonies,according to Ramsey County court
documents.They include credit card abuse and theft of property in Texas,receiving
stolen property,two burglaries,three identity thefts and suc check forgeries.
On recent charges,investigators immediately recoguzed Rassett,46,of Maplewood,
from digital surveillance videos after she allegedly used stolen credit cards,according to
crirninal complaints.
In March,she was convicted in Ramsey County for identity theft and was sentenced to
100 months at Shakopee women's prison.She stole personal identification and wallets
from churches in White Bear Lake,North St.Paul and Maplewood,and from a mortuary
in North St.Paul.
Other targets included a community center,a recreation center and a bakery.
In Washington County,alleged thefts included a purse stolen from a classroom at
Truuty Lutheran Church in Stillwater,business checks stolen in Woodbury,and
computer and hockey equipment stolen from a car at a sports shop in Stillwater.
Current charges echo her past—just a few years ago,RassetYs convictions included
thefts at schoois,churches,a doctor's office and even a wedding.
"The defendant has an extensive felony theft-related criminal history and warrant
history,"said one Washington County complaint.
Anderson described Rassett as an accomplished thief,"opportunistic"in her sldll in
finding unattended wallets and purses in lockers,desks and other out-of-sight places.
She is charged with seven felonies in Washington County in the latest court filings.
Rassett made purchases of hundreds of dollars each at stores in Stillwater,Oak Park
Heights and Woodbury,and she also forged checks,the complaints say.
In October 2010,Rassett pleaded guilty to felony charges of financial fraud and identity
theft in Washington County.She was sentenced to about nine months in the county jail
but was eligible for work release during the day.
Two months later,in December 2010,she pleaded guilty in Ramsey County District
Court to committing similar crunes in Roseville and White Bear Lake.
In 2002,Rassett was sent to Shakopee women's prison on convictions of forgery and
burglary.
kgiles@startribune.com 651-925-5037 StribGiles