Larger reward offered for Ty Hoffman's arrest

Authorities release updated "Wanted" poster with new details.

September 10, 2014 at 11:52PM
Blaine police say the image of the person who robbed a TCF Bank in Blaine, left, matches the description of Lyle "Ty" Hoffman, right, wanted in connection with the killing of Kelly Phillips.
Blaine police say the image of the person who robbed a TCF Bank in Blaine, left, matches the description of Lyle "Ty" Hoffman, right, wanted in connection with the killing of Kelly Phillips. (Colleen Kelly — DML -/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The reward for information leading to the arrest of fugitive Ty Hoffman, accused of fatally shooting his onetime romantic and business partner outside an Arden Hills gas station last month, is now $40,000, according to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities released an updated "Wanted" poster for Hoffman on Wednesday with new details, including that he frequents coffee shops and movie theaters and has a "habit of clearing his throat often and with a loud, distinctive sound."

Hoffman, 44, of Minneapolis, is wanted in connection with the Aug. 11 shooting death of Kelly Phillips, 48, an attorney and Boston Scientific vice president and owner of the Lush nightclub in Minneapolis, where Hoffman had worked.

He is also suspected of robbing a TCF Bank in Blaine and fleeing with red-dyed cash.

The search for Hoffman has centered around Anoka County-Blaine Airport, near where his car was found parked after the shooting. There have been three searches of the area, including one on the day of the shooting and another after the alleged robbery.

The most recent sighting was near Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake.

The reward for providing information that leads to Hoffman's capture and conviction was previously set at $25,000.

Contributions to the reward can be made at www.crimeandjustice.org. Anyone with information about Hoffman is asked to call 911. To share information or report a tip anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Karen Zamora • 612-673-4647

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Karen Zamora

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