A public safety alert lit up phone screens across Ramsey County on Sunday as a string of armed robberies led to a police chase near the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
Starting before 7 a.m. Sunday, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office said there were robberies at three gas stations: the Speedway at 2295 Rice St., Roseville, and BP stations at 300 Little Canada Road, Little Canada; and 3110 Cleveland Ave., Roseville.
Steve Linders, spokesman for the sheriff’s office, said suspects carried a handgun at the robberies. Officers believe all of the robberies were committed by the same suspects.
He said a clerk was physically assaulted during the third robbery.
Commander Mike Hankee said Roseville and St. Anthony police located the suspects’ vehicle. Police pursued the vehicle into St. Paul, where the suspects crashed near Pierce Butler Route and Prior Avenue.
Three suspects then fled on foot into the woods, Hankee said. One man was arrested.
Two other suspects remain at large. Hankee asked anyone who spots suspicious activity to call 911.
Since the pursuit and search took place near the State Fairgrounds, State Fair Police asked that an emergency alert be sent out to Ramsey County residents before noon on Sunday.
