-
May 14, 2008 5:56 pm US/Central
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
Police Arrest 3 In Coon Rapids Beatings, Robberies
COON RAPIDS, Minn. (WCCO) ―
Police said they have arrested three people in connection with a string of assaults and robberies in Coon Rapids, Minn.
Police arrested three men, ages 18, 17 and 16, who they said could be tied to three of the recent robbery incidents.
In the past two months, five people who were walking or biking alone in a Coon Rapids neighborhood were attacked and robbed.
The robberies all took place near Hanson Boulevard and 108th Lane. Typically, the suspects have attacked someone walking or biking alone, and then grabbed their wallet or purse.
The victims suffered injuries from black eyes and cuts to broken bones. One woman was knocked unconscious as she walked from her car to her apartment. Her purse was also stolen.
Devonta James Lewis, 18, is being held in the Anoka County jail and could be charged with robbery on Thursday. Police don't believe Lewis has been in much trouble prior to being accused in these crimes.
Police say the 16- and 17-year-old that were arrested both attended Coon Rapids High School and are currently being held in a juvenile facility. Police did not provide the names of the other two others in custody because they are under age 18.
A sawed-off shotgun was recovered during a search of a Coon Rapids residence. While no weapons were used in the attacks, police were worried about their escalating violence.
"It'll be a long time before I let my guard down," said robbery victim Bryan Novak.
Novak is relieved police got enough tips to make arrests. He couldn't give a description of the people who smashed his nose and jaw into pieces.
"They hit me right across the face right away, that was the first thing and it was dark," said Novak.
Coon Rapids Deputy Chief Tim Snell said he doesn't think the attacks were gang-related.
"The primary motive is robberies and I think these were robberies that were starting to, for a lack of a better term, get out of hand in terms of the level of violence that was going on," said Snell.
Though Novak praises police for their work, he disagrees with their description on the motive.
"I think they're just out for a joy ride really. I think that's what they were enjoying was just being out doing it," said Novak.
Novak was one of the victims attacked near Hanson Boulevard and 108th Lane. Police say in some cases, the attackers kept hitting victims even after they got their wallets.
"I think they need to be made very well aware of the pain that they have caused, not just me and my family but to the whole community," said Novak.
There have been two other cases of violent robberies recently in Coon Rapids that remain unsolved. Police say they are still searching for other teenagers in the area who were responsible for those crimes. Because of that, they urge people to remain on high alert. They are asking people not to walk or ride their bikes alone.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)