County attorney Pete Orput announced today that a 17-year-old Olmsted County juvenile was charged for a string of crimes occurring on November 8, 2021 in Woodbury. The County Attorney’s office also filed a motion to certify the juvenile to adult court. Tayvein Sophun Pttachan Tep was charged with three separate juvenile delinquency petitions. All offenses occurred between 8:15 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at various businesses near Valley Creek Road. Tep is charged with aggravated robbery, second degree assault and theft of a motor vehicle for an incident that occurred at the Target store on Valley Creek Plaza. He was also charged with another aggravated robbery that occurred at the Chick-fil-A restaurant near Target and a theft of a motor vehicle that occurred at a tobacco shop east of Chick-fil-A. An arrest warrant was issued for Tep who is currently in custody in another county.
The work of the Woodbury Police Department in coordination with other metro area law enforcement agencies led to the apprehension of Tep soon after these incidents. Tep has remained in custody since he was arrested.
Orput said, “Unfortunately, these robbery and motor vehicle theft cases are occurring too often in Washington County. Law enforcement and prosecutors in my office are coordinating to swiftly investigate and charge these cases. The crimes are very frightening to the victims and community. My office will respond with serious consequences for those who commit these crimes in Washington County. This will include certification to adult court for juveniles who are a serious risk to public safety.”
The identity of Tep is released pursuant to Minnesota Statute §260B.163, subdivision 1(c) which allows public access to cases where a juvenile is alleged to have committed an offense that is a felony, and the juvenile was at least 16 years of age at the time of the offense.
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