Juveniles Used Social Media to Rob Victims at Gunpoint: Police

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — On Wednesday, Sept. 21, Minneapolis police officers arrested two juveniles who are believed to be responsible for a series of armed robberies on the 3200 block of Irving Avenue North.

These arrests would not have been possible without the cooperation and assistance of local residents, police say.

Between Sept. 12th and Sept. 21 there were four armed robberies on the block.

In each case, the victim had been lured to the spot under the pretense of ordering food from local restaurants or by an offer to buy items posted for sale on a couple of different online marketplaces, including OfferUp.com and LetGo.com.

All victims were threatened with a handgun before being robbed. As the robberies continued, the suspects became more brazen in their display of the gun and in their threats.

When officers responded to the Sept. 21 robbery they were able to make contact with several citizens in the area. These citizens provided police officers with crucial information and evidence, according to a news release.

This information led them to a nearby house on James Ave. N where the suspects were spotted. Plain Clothes officers then set up surveillance on the house. Based on officers’ observations and the information they received, they were able to get a search warrant for the suspect residence. Given the potential threat to officer safety due to the presence of handguns, the SWAT team was asked to assist with the warrant.

Upon execution of the search warrant, officers arrested two juveniles and recovered additional evidence linking the suspects to the string of robberies.

Among the items recovered were two pistols.

Police wish to remind everyone of these important safety tips when buying or selling anything on social media:

1. Arrange to meet in a public location of your choosing. This might be a restaurant, coffee shop, municipal building, library, or any location that is public and that you are familiar with. Whenever possible avoid going to a buyer’s or seller’s home, or inviting them to your home.

2. Buddy up. Take a friend with you to meet with the buyer or seller. Most robbers prefer their victims to be alone.

3. Trust your instincts. If a situation doesn’t feel right, get out. Many robbery victims report getting an uneasy feeling about a situation just before they’re robbed.

4. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t let your judgement be clouded by an incredibly good deal on something.

5. Only carry the minimum amount of cash necessary. Leave your jewelry and other valuables at home.
Thanks again to the officers and citizens who brought this particular threat to public safety to an end.

Image via Shutterstock