Minneapolis police say they arrested six juveniles who violently carjacked a 62-year-old woman in Northeast Minneapolis Friday evening.
According to police, the juveniles tackled the woman to the ground before stealing her vehicle. Police said the juveniles were between the ages of 11 and 15. They all have active investigations pending with MPD, and one, a 15-year-old boy, was wanted for attempted murder.
“This was great collaborative work that interrupted the recurring criminal behavior of a group of juveniles,” said MPD Chief O’Hara. “I am thankful for recent investments in facilities designed to address youth behavior issues. However, the gap that allows juveniles to cycle in and out of the system remains. We need increased urgency among all leaders in our community and in government to address this issue. The current system is failing, putting our youth, their victims, and even our officers at risk.”
In a press release, MPD said:
“On February 7th, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a 62-year-old woman was attacked and carjacked while walking from her vehicle to a residence. A group of juveniles jumped out of a vehicle, tackled her to the ground, stole her car keys, and fled the scene in her vehicle.
Approximately three hours later, MPD officers in the 4th Precinct located the carjacked vehicle near Plymouth Avenue North and Logan Avenue North. The stolen vehicle’s location was partially determined with the help of information provided to the police by some parents of the juveniles in the carjacked vehicle. As officers attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled. State Patrol quickly took over the pursuit from the air and tracked the stolen car while officers followed at a safe distance. The vehicle stopped near 8th Av N and Queen Av N where six juveniles got out of the vehicle and hid in a nearby garage.
Officers established a perimeter and successfully called the suspects out of hiding. The six individuals—five boys and one girl, ranging in age from 11 to 15—were taken into custody and booked into the Juvenile Detention Center. The MPD Curfew Task Force assisted in the arrests and booking process. Chief O’Hara implemented the MPD Curfew Task Force in Sept 2024 to address issues involving juveniles during the early morning hours on weekends, following two significant incidents in which teens were injured or killed.
All six juveniles involved in the carjacking have active investigations pending with MPD, and one, a 15-year-old boy, was wanted for attempted murder.
Chief O’Hara said MPD is grateful to the MN State Patrol and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the tracking and arrests.”
