Cops arrest two more in attacks posted on YouTube

Police are investigating random assaults that were filmed and posted on the Internet.

By DAVID CHANEN, Star Tribune

Last update: November 19, 2009 - 11:17 PM

Police have arrested two more people in connection with a series of assaults in Minneapolis and St. Paul recorded on video and posted on YouTube, bringing the total arrests to four.

The latest arrests were in connection with an attack Sunday on the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis. A 50-year-old man was bicycling when he was approached by four people. Two of them, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old wearing boxing gloves, assaulted the man as he tried to get away, police said. He wasn't injured.

The suspects were arrested Wednesday after the victim came forward to police, said Sgt. Jesse Garcia. The incident wasn't video-recorded, but police linked the suspects to similar incidents on video in St. Paul.

"If anybody thinks this is just kids doing stupid things, they might think differently if they were a victim," Garcia said. "People are getting pushed off bikes and into streets, which could cause serious injuries. This isn't acceptable behavior."

The pair were arrested on suspicion of causing a riot, Garcia said. Police don't know the motivation behind the alleged attacks.

On Tuesday, a 19-year-old was booked into the Ramsey County jail and a 17-year-old was taken to a juvenile detention center. Both were booked on suspicion of strong-arm robbery and aggravated assault, according to St. Paul police reports.

Sgt. Paul Schnell said St. Paul police were searching for two others who were recorded on camera participating in assaults, while at least four others would be considered persons of interest. He said three victims have come forward, and about four reports had been filed as of late Wednesday afternoon. One victim told police he was tackled from behind by an unknown male at 6 p.m. Saturday while walking east on Grand Avenue near Avon Street in St. Paul. "Assault was probably posted on YouTube," the police report said.

The investigation and arrests followed the Monday posting of a YouTube video featuring eight young males terrorizing bicyclists and pedestrians -- including children and older people -- in what appeared to be Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Edited and set to music, the video shows the group of what appear to be teenagers or young men taking turns saying, "Watch this," before knocking down victims and running away, laughing. The video was removed by midday Tuesday.

The video made its way around several online message boards and was soon e-mailed to police and media. The perpetrators prominently showed their faces and gave what were purported to be their real names and nicknames.

Anybody who experienced a similar incident can contact St. Paul police at 651-291-1111 or Minneapolis police at 612-692-8377.

David Chanen • 612-673-4465

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