Extra patrols near Powderhorn Park

Star Tribune

Last update: December 18, 2007 - 12:27 AM

Minneapolis police have assigned extra patrols to the Powderhorn Park neighborhood after a spate of robberies.

Uniformed and plainclothes officers are looking for the people who have robbed at least six people in the neighborhood in the past two weeks, said Karen Notsch, the department's crime prevention specialist.

The robbers have shown a gun or implied that they had one in five robberies, which have occurred mainly between 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on both weekends and weekdays in an area between 31st and 33rd Streets and 12th and 16th Avenues S. They have approached victims near apartment buildings and residential garages, asking for the time or for a light for a cigarette. When the victim looks down, "they demand money," Notsch said.

The robbers have made off with cash and wallets, but no one has been seriously hurt. A few victims have been knocked down and pushed around, Notsch said.

The robberies have involved up to three men described as between 18 and 25 years old with dark clothing or jackets or sweat shirts with hoods.

Anybody with information is asked to call 612-673-2941.

TIM HARLOW

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