This came in from the Minneapolis Police Department and seems worthy of attention:

From December 6th -17th, there have been five robberies of persons and one assault/possible attempted robbery, all of shoppers and employees near area businesses.  

All of these robberies have occurred after 5:30pm when it is starting to get dark.  Please use caution in parking lots and walking home from businesses.       

Some information on the reported incidents:

1.    06-342710;12/6/2006 at 7:40pm at 24xx Humboldt Av S. Suspect (B/M, 5’6-5’7, 20-24yrs, light blue hooded winter coat) grabbed victim as she walked home from grocery store. He stole her purse and cash from her pockets, and then fled on foot.
2.    06-346283; 12/10/2006 at 10:35pm at 30xx Knox Av S.  The victim, a store employee, was walking home from work when he was approached by two suspects (W/Ms 5’4-5’7, 18-21yrs, dark hooded clothing) asking for the time.  The victim became suspicious and took off running.  The suspects chased him and hit him over the head with a metal object.  No loss was reported.
3.    06-347690; 12/12/2006 at 5:40pm near 50th and France Av S. Victim was walking to her vehicle in the parking lot behind a local business when the suspect (W/M, 5’6-5’8, 25-30yrs, blue jeans, hat, dark-colored jacket) ran up to her. The suspect asked for victim’s purse, sprayed mace in her face, and fled with the purse.
4.    06-347827; 12/12/2006 at 8:50pm on 28xx Lake of the Isles Pkwy W. After arriving home from a grocery shopping trip, the victims were confronted in the garage of their home. The suspects (2 B/Ms, 5’10-5’11, 28-30yrs, hooded winter coats) shoved one of the victims to the ground, took his wallet, and fled.  
5.    06-351347; 12/16/2006 around 6pm at 38th and Aldrich Av S. Victim was walking home from the grocery store when she was followed by two B/M suspects (S1-5’9-6’0, 15-16yrs, blk hooded sweatshirt, S2- 5’6-5’7, 15-16yrs, light-colored hooded sweatshirt). One suspect approached the victim and grabbed for her.  The victim swung her groceries and screamed. The suspects fled. No loss reported.      
6.    06-352267; 12/17/2006 at 8:40pm at 28xx Humboldt Av S. Two victims were walking home from the grocery store when suspect (B/M, 5’10-6’0, 25-35yrs, dark jacket, dark pants, dark hat) ran up from behind and grabbed V1’s purse. A struggle for the purse ensued between the victims and the suspect. The suspect fled with the purse. The victims did not notice a weapon during the struggled but found out later that they had been injured by a knife.   

What you can do:

▪ Be alert to your surroundings and use extra precautions during the evening hours.  Walk in well-lit areas and/or busy streets.

▪ Keep an eye out for people on the street before exiting your home/vehicle or a store.

▪ If possible, walk with a friend.

▪ Carry money, driver’s license, keys, cell phone etc on your body, not in a purse.

▪ Do not carry excessive amounts of cash, credit cards or other valuables.  Evaluate your purse, wallet or backpack every month.

▪ Trust your instincts.  If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, leave quickly.

▪ Carry a noise-making device such as a whistle or screech alarm, or scream to call attention to your situation.  

▪ If you are being robbed, give up your belongings.  Your life is more important than your possessions.

▪ Be able to give accurate descriptions of the suspects to the police: age, race, sex, height, clothing, and vehicle description if applicable. Also try to say which direction they were last headed.

▪ Know who belongs in your neighborhood and who does not.

▪ Report suspicious behavior to 911. Suspicious behavior includes unfamiliar vehicles or people loitering around homes/businesses in the area and walking/running through yards and alleys.

▪ Start or revitalize your block club to familiarize yourself with new neighbors.

If you have any information on these or any other crimes please contact the MPD Tips line at 612-692-8477.

Please pass this information on to your neighbors.  Let them know how to sign up for these alerts (send an email to safe5.1-on@ccpsafe.org).  Call 911 with suspicious persons/activities.

Stay safe and enjoy the holidays,

email: safe5.1-off@ccpsafe.org>

CPS Sarah Sexton Mahmud
Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department, 5th Precinct
3101 Nicollet Ave S
Minneapolis, MN  55408

sarah.sexton-mahmud@ci.minneapolis.mn.
612.673.2819

Serving the neighborhoods of;
Cedar-Isles-Dean, East Isles, Kenwood, Lowry Hill, Lowry Hill East, Stevens Square-Loring Heights and Whittier