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February 12, 2024 (Minneapolis): Minneapolis Police officers on patrol today pursued and arrested three male juveniles who are believed to be responsible for an armed robbery this morning. Investigators are now trying to determine if the three suspects are involved in a rash of violent robberies that occurred late last week and over the weekend.
According to MPD crime analysts, there were 46 violent crimes this past weekend, and 70% of those crimes were robberies. So far in 2024, the number of robberies is up 40% from this time a year ago. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara that many of the robberies involve groups of juveniles and the department has quickly redeployed resources to address this sudden spike in robberies.
“Today’s arrest is the direct result of our focused efforts to stop this senseless violence,” said O’Hara. “Our officers, investigators and special units will remain vigilant and committed to finding those responsible, however, we also need the entire the criminal justice system to do its part to hold these individuals accountable.”
Monday’s Arrest of Three Suspects
At approximately 1:15 p.m. Monday, Minneapolis Police officers on patrol identified two vehicles believed to have been involved in the armed robbery of a person at gunpoint on the 500 block of W 43rd St earlier in the day. The vehicles, both stolen white Kias, were in Northeast Minneapolis, traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Lowry Ave., toward the Lowry Avenue Bridge. Officers pursued the second Kia, a Sportage, through North Minneapolis until it crashed into a vehicle at the intersection of N Penn Ave. and Plymouth Ave. N.
Officers quickly apprehended and arrested three male juveniles, who fled from the crashed Kia. Officers recovered a handgun. The other Kia has not been located. There were no injuries reported. The GO number is 24-37379.
Robbery Spree
On Sunday, February 11th, MPD reported that several robberies had occurred Saturday into early Sunday morning and that 14 of those robberies involved groups of individuals getting out of a vehicle and robbing people who were out walking. Of those 14 robberies with similar circumstances, 8 of the 14 robberies appear to be connected to the same suspects or vehicles.
Since Thursday, February 8th, there have been at least 36 Robberies or Carjackings.
Most of these robberies involve victims being approached by groups of between 2 and 10 people. Most victims described suspects who were between 15 and 20 years old, and primarily male. Guns were present in most of these robberies. While the robberies on Saturday into Sunday typically involved victims who were walking, the robberies on Thursday and Friday also included individuals who were entering, exiting, or sitting in their vehicles.
Robbers took purses, wallets, phones, cash, and in a couple of cases, the victim's car.
If you are approached by an armed individual or group of individuals who demand your valuables, focus on as many details as possible. Important details are license plate numbers, vehicle description, height, weight, sex, race, hair color, and hairstyle of individual suspects, clothing descriptions of suspects, and the number of suspects with their direction of travel. Call 911 as soon as you are able. If your credit or debit cards are stolen, cancel them by phone as soon as possible and note any usage after the theft.
If you see someone being robbed, call 911 immediately and provide as much detailed information as possible.
Chief Brian O’Hara speaks after pursuit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAoCi4LGGLY
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2-12-2024 MR 24-37379 - Robbery Suspects Arrested - Plymouth and Penn N - UPDATED.pdf
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