6 Children Arrested In Minneapolis After Armed Robberies And Police Chase

Six children between the ages of 11 and 14 were arrested in Minneapolis on Tuesday following a series of armed robberies and two crashes on Interstate 94. The suspects, three males and three females, are accused of being involved in three armed robberies earlier in the day, police said.

The first robbery occurred on 41st Avenue South around 11:30 a.m., followed by another on Bloomington Avenue shortly afterward. Police identified one of the vehicles used in the crimes and attempted to stop it, but the driver fled, leading to a high-speed chase that ended in a crash on I-94 near Cedar Avenue.

During the second robbery, shots were reportedly fired at a victim, though no one was hit. Authorities launched a coordinated response involving the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota State Patrol, which eventually led to the arrest of the juveniles.

A third robbery took place near Pleasant Avenue around 1:30 p.m. Police tracked down one of the vehicles involved, which crashed on I-94, and apprehended four suspects after they fled on foot. Another stolen vehicle crashed nearby, and two more suspects were arrested after attempting to flee.

No serious injuries were reported from the crashes, but the juveniles were taken to hospitals for evaluation. The group will be booked into the Juvenile Detention Center, and at least one 12-year-old boy had previous encounters with law enforcement.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara expressed concern over the growing involvement of children in serious criminal activity. “The fact that I see this activity continuing with children so young is incredibly frustrating,” O’Hara said, urging for further action to address the issue.