Packs of robbers ambush two bicyclists and two pedestrians

By PAUL WALSH and DAVID CHANEN, Star Tribune staff writers

Last update: October 30, 2009 - 11:20 PM

Packs of robbers ambushed two bicyclists and two pedestrians on dark south Minneapolis streets during an eight-hour crime spree this week, and authorities are hunting for at least six suspects.

The attacks began late Wednesday, with the fourth coming shortly before dawn Thursday, according to a police crime alert.

The robbers were described as being as young as 14 and as old as 27. Victims identified their attackers as male and female, of varied races. In three of the attacks, the suspects were wearing hooded sweatshirts. Because the suspect descriptions aren't similar, police aren't linking any of the crimes at this time, Sgt. Bill Palmer said.

According to police:

A 32-year-old bicyclist was near E. 32nd Street and Oakland Avenue at about 10:15 p.m. Wednesday when three attackers "charged" at him, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. He was robbed at gunpoint. He told police he could identify the suspects.

About 25 minutes later, another bicyclist, age 21, was near Powderhorn Park when someone from a group of five attackers kicked his bike's front tire, sending him tumbling and hitting his head on the concrete. Having lost consciousness, he was dragged toward the tennis court and awoke to find his possessions missing. One of the attackers was armed.

About 1:50 a.m. Thursday, a pedestrian, 25, encountered a group of six people on 27th Avenue S. near E. 28th Street. While the group at first moved to let him pass, they then lunged at him, knocked him down, kicked and punched him and emptied his pockets.

Shortly after 6:15 a.m., another pedestrian, age 52, was jumped by three people as he headed toward the light rail station at E. 32nd Street and 23rd Avenue S. They knocked him to the ground, kicked and punched him and took things from his pockets.

Anyone with information should call the police robbery unit at 612-673-2941.

pwalsh@startribune.com • 612-673-4482 dchanen@startribune.com • 612-673-4465

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