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MPD HIGHLIGHTS for the week of 18 August – 24 August 2009

CITYWIDE TRENDS The MPLS total violent crime rate is 15.7% lower in this year-to-date period than in 2008. MPLS has had 11 homicides this year to date (57.7% decrease from YTD 2008). Robberies 24% decrease this year-to-date. Aggravated assaults fell by 11% year-to-date compared with this YTD in 2008. Rape has increased by 3.1% this year-to-date over last year-to-date. Total property crimes decreased 17.6% in this year-to-date period. Burglaries decreased 11.6% YTD compared to YTD in 2008. Auto theft has decreased 30% YTD over 2008. A total of 458 weapons have been placed into evidence thus far in 2009 (16 new weapons this week).		1st PRECINCT	2nd PRECINCT	3rd PRECINCT	4th PRECINCT	5th PRECINCT
		3 Av N/Washington Av: Victim was walking on the railroad tracks behind Déjà Vu.  He was approached by 2 males who asked him for change. When he said no, they asked if he had a phone.  He said no again.  At that time, both suspects began assaulting him and one suspect ripped the victim’s wallet out of his pants pocket.  The other suspect ripped the victim’s phone off of his pants pocket.  EMS believed V1 sustained a broken jaw and transported him to HCMC for treatment. CID investigating	Central Av/St Anthony Pkwy: Officers conducted a traffic stop after using a laser device to determine that the vehicle was traveling over 60 mph in a 30 mph zone. The driver admitted to having a revoked driver’s license, as well as having consumed several shots of alcohol at a friend’s house. An inventory search prior to tow of the vehicle revealed two baggies of suspected methamphetamine in the vehicle. Driver booked. Arrested/PC NARCOTICS, DWI Traffic investigating	40 St/Portland Av S: 3rd Precinct officers responded to area on reports of downed trees and power lines due to tornado. The most serious damage was along Portland from 40th to 49th St. A command post was established at 40th/Portland. Officers conducted a house to house search for possible victims in a 120 square block section of the precinct. There were no reported injuries. Officers then assisted in traffic control and general security for the area until power was restored the next day.	2900 blk Colfax Av N: A juvenile male suspect struck the adult female victim above eye, causing a three-quarter inch deep laceration. Suspect had been staying at the victim’s sister’s home temporarily and became irritated at the victim’s 3 year old child when he nearly tripped down the stairs.  An argument ensued because the suspect said he was going to kick the child down the stairs.  Victim was hit then chased the suspect out of the house with a knife. Suspect located and booked. Arrested/ASSAULT 3 Juvenile investigating	Humboldt Av S/Lake St: The victim was robbed of his wallet at gunpoint by a male suspect while using the cash machine in the Wells Fargo parking Lot. After turning over his wallet, the victim attempted to flee from the suspect and ran into a sign, which caused a large gash on his head that required transport to the hospital. Officers arrived on the scene to investigate the robbery and booked 2 adults. Arrested/AGGRAVATED ROBBERY CID investigating
		1500 blk Chicago Av S: Officers were dispatched to a domestic assault with weapons.  The female suspect stabbed the victim and poured bleach on his face.  The suspect then fled with her child.  After a period of time, suspect called to make a report on victim.  Suspect was located and booked at HCJ.   Unknown damage to V1’s eyes. Arrested/DOMESTIC ASSAULT CID investigating	Main St SE/Merriam St: Unknown suspects hid out in business until after it closed and then proceeded to pry the ATM open and remove an unknown amount of cash. This is possibly related to a pattern of ATM thefts throughout the city. Crime Lab responded to the scene. Precinct investigating	3600 blk Chicago Av S: Officers responded to an apartment building on the report of one down in the hallway. Once officers arrived, it was determined that the victim had been shot and died in the hallway. It appears the victim lived in the apartment building. Homicide responded and has an active investigation. CID investigating	3300 blk Aldrich Av N: Officers dispatched to a person with a gun call. The two suspects ran into the attic which locked from inside.  K9 assisted and engaged with a suspect who was buried under insulation.  K9 got suspect by arm so suspect tried to choke K9.  AP1 refused to release choke hold on K9.  Officers assisted.  Two booked. Arrested/ ASSAULT on K9, WARRANTS, FLEE ON FOOT CID investigating	10 blk Wentworth Ct E: The resident arrived home and discovered that a front window screen was cut and that suspect then opened the unlocked window to gain entry. Numerous items were stolen; Crime Lab responded to process the scene for evidence. Several latent fingerprints were recovered and, after analysis, a suspect was identified though the fingerprint database. Suspect is believed to be responsible for several other burglaries in the area. Precinct investigating
Investigations Units ~ Special Operations ~ Joint Task Forces ~ Support Operations
Assault Unit	Cases: 99 routed; 6 assigned; 18 charged; 17 transferred; 5 open; 46 open pending further information Investigating: Drive-by shooting: 2100 blk Marshall St NE: Officers were dispatched to a drive-by shooting at the above location. Victim stated that he was in the upstairs portion of the house when the shots broke out. Victim stated that it might be related to a murder where his friend was the victim. Officers searched home with victim’s permission and found four bullet holes in living room wall; more holes were further found near kitchen in a closet. No injuries were reported. Case being investigated by homicide investigators. Investigating: Assault 2: 3400 blk 4 Av S: Officers were dispatched to the area on a shooting. Victim stated that she was parking her car when several suspects were shooting at each other at the intersection of 35/ 4 AV S. Car 21 processed the scene and victims were innocent bystanders not related to the shooting. The next day, officers were dispatched to the same area on another shooting report. Witness stated he observed the suspect shoot at a vehicle in the area. Witness described the suspect to officers, who stopped one male matching the description. Officers received information that three victims were transported to HCMC by a friend. One victim suffered a gunshot wound to the right arm, another victim in the back and the last victim in the right thigh. All injuries were non-life threatening. Both cases investigated by the Park Police.
Child Abuse	Investigating/Charged: Criminal Sexual Conduct: Two juvenile males disclosed that a male suspect had just sexually assaulted them. A family member then confronted and assaulted the suspect, then called the police. Officers from the 2nd Precinct arrived, took the suspect into custody and processed the scene. The suspect was booked HCJ, but then let out the following day. He later came to our office for an interview. He denied any CSC activity and was then booked HCJ on a probation violation after he was found to be on probation of exposing himself in the presence of a minor in Richfield. A Corner House forensic interview had been conducted for one victim who gave a great disclosure; the second victim and parent have not been located yet for a separate Corner House interview. Charges were issued against the suspect for 2nd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. The case remains open for victim 2.
Domestic Abuse/ Vulnerable Adult	Investigating: Officers responded to a domestic assault call where the female victim stated that she was strangled by the suspect. Officers stated in their reports that because they did not see any bruises on the throat of the victim, they listed the offense as only a 5th Degree Domestic Assault. It should be noted that the victim is a very dark complected African American female, and that superficial bruising would be almost impossible to see. This case is being investigated by Sgt. Yellowbird, who upgraded the case after she met with the victim who walked in to the Domestic Abuse Service Center office late one Friday afternoon. It will be submitted for possible charges of Terroristic Threats and Domestic Assault this week. The victim stated that she was grabbed by the suspect around her throat and that he squeezed using both hands. The victim stated that she struggled and was able to free herself, but the suspect told her, “If I go to jail, when I get out, I will kill you!” It should be noted that the suspect has a violent domestic assault history, and has spent time incarcerated when he was sentenced to 240 months in 1992 for Domestic Attempt Murder. The suspect is currently on probation and has been out of prison for three years. Charged: A set of 30 year old twin sisters got into a physical altercation. During the fight, one of the sisters took off her shoe and struck the other sister in the head. After striking the victim in the head with the shoe, the suspect sister ran into her house, and picked up a butcher knife. The suspect sister then exited the house, and chased the victim sister down the street while wielding the knife. Upon catching the victim sister, the suspect stabbed the victim three times, resulting in non-life threatening injuries. The knife was recovered; the suspect was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Domestic Assault.
Narcotics Unit	Day Cases: 20 cases assigned, 9 submitted for charges, 1 tab charged with misdemeanor, 6 unfounded, 1 ongoing investigation, 3 rerouted to another unit and 7 complaints signed and filed. Charged: Narcotics Officers, DEA, FBI and VOTF conducted a buy with follow-up search warrant on a DEA OCEDTF case. Officers arrested Wael Mohmoud Abdel-Karem and then executed a search warrant at an address in Northeast Minneapolis. Officers recovered 3 pounds of methamphetamine, 120 grams of cocaine, one handgun and $12,000. One party was charged federally, ongoing case.
Sex Crimes Unit	Cases: 17 cases routed; 12 assigned; 1 in-custody Investigating: CSCR: Powderhorn Park: Two juvenile females molested and raped by group of males.  Not related to other Powderhorn stranger rape.  Investigation ongoing.
Predatory Offender Registration Section	Cases: Initiated 6 new cases of failure to register; 2 complaints signed; 2 submitted for charging review; 10 home visits conducted and all offenders were found to be in compliance. 2 non-compliant offenders were arrested by MPD patrol officers. Non-Compliant: 135 Total Level 3 offenders: 114 Total offenders who reside, work, or go to school in Minneapolis: 2,084 (2,088last week)
Robbery Unit	Cases: 19 cases Robbery of Person, 2 assigned; 19 cases Aggravated Robbery (including auto), 2 assigned; 6 Robberies of Business, 4 assigned; 1 case unfounded; 2 cases closed by arrest; 0 cases exceptionally cleared; 9 cases transferred to another unit; 17 cases open pending further info; 6 cases open Charged: Robbery of Business: 100 blk Franklin Av E: Raymond Scott, armed with a knife, robbed the business and fled out the front door. An employee chased after the suspect, while the police were called. Scott, upon seeing approaching squads, fled into a nearby residence, gaining entry by taking out a window air conditioner. Scott hid in the dwelling until the residents alerted police. Scott was arrested and brought to CID and interviewed by Sgt. Ron Christianson. Scott was charged by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office with Robbery in the First Degree and Burglary in the First Degree. Investigating: Robbery of Person: Chicago Av/Lake St: Male victim was strong-arm robbed by John Dye III. The incident was witnessed by a taxi driver, who helped chase away the suspect. Police located suspect Dye in a nearby bar and he was arrested. Sgt. Carpenter was assigned the case. Investigating: Robbery/Assault: 2900 blk Lake St E: Female claimed that she was shot in the parking lot of a business. She drove to Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park for treatment. Later, she told her parents about the incident. The shooting was reported at the 3rd Precinct several days later. Sgt. McLean was assigned the case. The victim’s story changed from the original version told to a detective in St. Louis Park and to the police at the 3rd Precinct.
Forensics Division	Computer Forensics: 1 new request for forensics media examinations. 33 examinations pending.  5 media examinations completed.  63 ongoing pro-active examinations related to child pornography. Internet Child Pornography Suspect Identifications Made: Referred 4 child pornography distribution cases to outside agencies. ▪ One child porn distribution case was referred to Minneapolis Police Digital Forensic Lab. Search Warrant Executed: Officer Adams assisted Mounds View Police on a search warrant related to possession of child pornography. The suspect admitted to downloading and distributing child pornography. 3 computers were seized. Field Operations:  Processed 39 crime scenes and 643 items of evidence. Examined 65 latents, identifying 31 latents and 4 suspects. Made 18 MAFIN entries with 5 hits. 726 latent comparisons were made. Unknown Persons Identified:  Identification made of unknown homicide victim using FBI database. Firearms: Examined: 17 guns; 0 bullets; 37 discharged casings; 20 IBIS entries with 2445 correlations done. 1 serial number restoration made. Forensic Garage: 17 vehicles processed.                                               MAFIN: 25 MAFIN entries made with 6 hits.  850 reverse searches and 1675 comparisons. 6 verifications made. 2 cases assisting others. 0 cards entered. Unknown Persons Identified: Identification made of possible assault suspect & possible burglary suspect. Photo Lab:  1114 photos created; 78 evidentiary photos processed; 8 rolls of film processed. 1 CD copied and 0 backed up. 0 digital prints created. Video:  Analyzed 11 video/cd/dvds; made 13 video copies; 9 still prints; and 3 photo discs made. Performed 22 other procedures.
Special Operations Division	Traffic & Accident Investigations Unit: Traffic officers made 738 stops this week (21% increase over the prior week) and of those stops, issued 866 citations (19% increase over the prior week) and made 52 arrests. Officers also investigated 24 accidents; Accident Investigations assigned 26 cases. Bomb: 41 St E/25 Av S:  Responded on five suspicious containers that appeared in a backyard of a residence.  The containers were x-rayed and cleared. ▪ 46 St E/46 Av S: Responded on a suspicious box labeled biohazard.  The box was discovered to be on the St. Paul side of the bridge and they were notified. ▪ I-694/Central Av NE: Assisted State Patrol with a suspected hand grenade. The suspect item was x-rayed and discovered to be a solid piece of steel from an ornamental fence. ▪ Metrodome: Officers Leum and Smith conducted a bomb sweep prior to the Vikings game. ▪ U of MN: Officers Coan and Smith conducted bomb sweeps of the University of Minnesota football stadium prior to the first team scrimmage. Public Housing Unit: Precinct 1: 6 St/Cedar Av S: Warrant; report made to manager. ▪ 3 St/Hennepin Av S: Theft; report to manager. ▪ 8 St/12 Av S: Marijuana in motor vehicle & narcotics violation; report made to manager. ▪ 6 St/16 Av S: Trespassed two females; manager received paperwork. ▪ 17 St/Washington Av: Theft; copy of report to manager. Precinct 3: Assisted 3rd Precinct officers with severe weather emergency. Checked area for anyone who may have been injured. Precinct 4: Contacted north side high rise managers. Conducted building checks of north side high rises. ▪ Assisted north side squads with calls for service, including a traffic stop with an out of control angry driver. SWAT: WARRANT SERVICE: 1500 blk Bryant Av N: Assisted 4th Precinct CRT. Officers recovered 31 bindles of heroin which weighed approximately 9 grams, as well as numerous drug paraphernalia. 2 cited for disorderly house. ▪ 2400 blk 18 Av S: Assisted 2nd Precinct CRT. Recovered 1.5 grams of crack and $700 cash. One cited for disorderly house. ▪ 1600 blk Sheridan Av N: Assisted 4th Precinct CRT. Recovered ½ pound marijuana, three rifles, two shotguns, and a handgun. One booked PC Narcotics, one cited for disorderly house. Detail: Assisted with door to door search for injured persons following tornado touchdowns downtown and in south Minneapolis. SOD Patrol: Initiated or answered 205 calls for service; made 107 traffic/suspicious vehicle stops; 31 suspicious person stops; 40 misdemeanor arrests; 8 gross misdemeanor/felony arrests. Precinct 3: Squad 904 assisted 3rd Precinct CRT on a controlled narcotics buy which netted 2.8 grams of crack and one PC Narcotics arrest. 3600 blk Chicago Av S: Assisted 3rd Precinct personnel on homicide scene. Lake St/Columbus Av S: Assisted 3rd Precinct personnel who had stopped two for curfew violation. Suspect led officers on a short foot chase; incident ended with two arrested and one replica firearm recovered. 12 Av S/28 St E: Assisted 3rd Precinct personnel on a stabbing scene. Precinct 4: 1711 Broadway Av: Provided dignitary protection to US Rep. Keith Ellison who was speaking at the YMCA. ▪ 2800 blk Lyndale Av N: Responded to a disturbance call; located one party who was wanted on a felony warrant. Party was booked. K9 Bullets: 2900 blk Chicago Av S: Assisted officers on robbery; suspect located. ▪ 1300 blk 23 St E: Assisted 3rd Precinct officers on a robbery of business call. K9 tracked and located suspect who was hiding in a closet. ▪ 3300 blk Aldrich Av N: Assisted 4th Precinct officers who were chasing a suspect armed with a gun. K9 was deployed into a house and located the suspect hiding in the attic, buried under insulation. ▪ 3300 blk Bryant Av N: Assisted 4th Precinct officers who were chasing a person armed with a gun. K9 tracked and located the suspect behind a house. ▪ 2600 blk Oliver Av N: K9 officer spotted a suspect wanted on a PC pickup. Suspect taken into custody. ▪ 700 blk Polk St NE: Two K9 teams assisted the Dept. of Corrections on an attempt pickup. Suspect taken into custody. ▪ 29 Av N/James Av N: Responded to a shots fired call at this location; suspects located at Broadway/Bryant Av N. Suspects arrested.
Juvenile Division	Cases Routed: 62; Assigned: 40 Investigating: Aggravated Robbery: 10 Av S/25 St E: The victim was robbed at gunpoint.  The suspects(s) fled on a bicycle.  The case was assigned to Sgt. Kassa for investigation.  Case open. Investigating: Domestic Assault 2: 1500 blk Franklin Av E: The victim was struck by the suspect using a pool cue.  The suspect was arrested on scene by patrol officers.  The case was assigned to Sgt. Roering and the case was routed to the County Attorney for charging.  Investigating: Robbery: 3800 blk Fremont Av N: After an argument, the suspect pointed a gun at the victim, who was his girlfriend.  Patrol officers arrested the suspect.  Sgt. Metcalf was assigned the case and the case was routed to the County Attorney for charging.
Motor Vehicle Theft Program	Bait Vehicle Activation: 2nd Precinct: After reviewing the videotape from the bait vehicle, no one is seen in or around the vehicle. Bait Vehicle Activation: 3rd Precinct: The vehicle was stolen, driven a short distance and suspect(s) exited before officers arrived. Tape will be reviewed and photos will be sent out of the suspect(s). Bait Vehicle Activation: 1st Precinct: The vehicle was found in a parking lot with a group walking away from it. Officers arrested 5; however after viewing the VHS tape from the bait vehicle, none of the 5 were in the bait vehicle. All 5 released; still photos of the two in the vehicle will be made and sent out to officers. Investigating: Fingerprinted 2 recovered Hondas. Investigating: Recovered a stolen vehicle in 3rd Precinct with the license plate recognition system. The vehicle is also being checked for possibly being a VIN switch.
MPD/ATF Weapons Task Force	Investigating: The MPD/ATF Weapons Task Force assigned 4 cases for investigation with a total of 4 people arrested. 3 cases were submitted for charging, 1 case was charged, 1 case remain under investigation. Indicted: Our ATF partners adopted a MPD Weapons Unit case and the suspect, a documented Gangster Disciple gang member, was federally indicted.
Support Services	Processed: 1,035 Property Inventories; 417 Booking Sheets. Project: Work continues on development of database to track data requests.
CODEFOR PATTERNS & ACTIONS
1st Precinct: ZERO homicides in the precinct this year. Overall violent crime is 11.8% lower than at this time in 2008. Property crime rates decreased 23% compared to the same time frame in 2008. 2nd Precinct: Total violent crimes have decreased 19.9% over this time frame last year; overall property crime is down 11.5%. The precinct has had a 36% reduction in auto theft crimes YTD. 3rd Precinct: Steady YTD decreases in all types of Part I crime continue. Violent crime fell 15.5% year-to-date compared with last year. Property crime fell 22.5% YTD in 2009 compared to 2008.    4th Precinct: 60% reduction in homicides in 2009 continues. Violent crimes decreased 11.7% YTD compared to 2008. Property crime decreased 9.9% YTD compared to 2008. 5th Precinct: Violent crime rates have decreased by 24.7% over last year at this time. Property crimes have decreased 18% thus far in 2009. 31% YTD decrease in robbery.
MEDIA HIGHLIGHT
Star Tribune: August 26, 2009: “Juvenile Prevention”