‘The restaurant was a mess’: Man who broke into salad store found asleep on floor, prosecutors say

SEATTLE — A Lake Stevens man with a lengthy criminal record was charged with second-degree burglary last week in King County Superior Court last week.

Prosecutors said on Jan. 27, Derek Henry Schimpf, 25, broke into an Evergreens Salads in downtown Seattle.

Delivery suppliers found Schimpf sleeping on the floor, prosecutors said.

“The restaurant was a mess: the cash machine was turned upside down and there were food items on the ground,” according to charging documents.

>> Related: ‘Prolific offenders’ in Seattle result of case delays, lack of oversight, report says

Schimpf claimed to be the owner when he was confronted by the delivery suppliers, prosecutors said.

Police and management were called and determined that Schimpf was not the owner.

“He had consumed some kombucha and a bag of kettle chips and was wearing a hat belonging to the restaurant,” prosecutors said.

According to management, the cash drawer and a laptop were missing.

Schimpf claimed he came through an unlocked door and then locked himself in, prosecutors said.

>> Related: Regional leaders unveil strategies to address repeat offenders

Schimpf had an unrelated felony Department of Corrections escape warrant and a misdemeanor Seattle Municipal Court warrant and was booked into the King County Jail, police wrote in a probable cause document.

In charging documents, prosecutors said Schimpf’s criminal record includes convictions for drug possession, attempted identify theft and trespassing, among others.

Prosecutors said Schimpf warrant history includes 14 failures to appear for misdemeanors since 2014 and three bench warrants issued for felonies in 2015.

Schimpf remains in jail and had his bail denied for the escape warrant, jail records show.

© 2020 Cox Media Group