Today's Most Popular Video
Nov 18, 2008 6:48 pm US/Central
Armed Parking Ramp Robber Caught On Tape In Mpls.
(WCCO)
-
-
Surveillance video shows the robber walking into the ramp at 1420 Hennepin on Nov. 8.
CBS
-
-
Off camera, the man confronted a valet, stole his wallet, then pistol whipped him, and in the distance drove off in a stolen Mercedes.
CBS
-
-
After, the robber used a stolen credit card at a Fridley convenience story. That incident was caught on video too and the picture was shown around town.
CBS
Downtown Minneapolis is under a crime alert as police try to catch an armed robber who pistol whipped some of his victims after they turned over the money.
However, because of a careless mistake, they now have a good description of him.
He's a black man, 5-foot-8, with a medium dark complexion. He wears a green hooded sweatshirt and a baseball cap with an "S" on it.
Surveillance video shows the robber walking into the ramp at 1420 Hennepin on Nov. 8.
Off camera, he confronted a valet, stole his wallet, then pistol whipped him and in the distance, drove off in a stolen Mercedes.
Over the next week, he also struck at three more ramps -- Laurel Village, 3rd and 2nd Avenue, and 1st and 2nd Avenue -- always at night and always with a gun.
"Usually the parking ramps are fairly safe because of security cameras and because a lot of them have attendants or security guards on the premise," said Lt. Mike Fossum of the Minneapolis Police Department, "so it's pretty bold, too."
It's bold but not bright because police now have a good picture of him.
"The video is excellent," said Fossum. "He's in a lighted area, and I think someone will recognize him."
After, the robber used a stolen credit card at a Fridley convenience story. That incident was caught on video too and the picture was shown around town.
"The old time police work," said Fossum, "that's the best time to do it, when you're armed with a photo, and the crimes are recently in the past."
People in the Laurel Village area and the college across the street, have definitely heard of him.
"We talk about it in class almost every day," said Minneapolis Community and Technical College student Jennifer Saunier. "My teacher usually lets us know what the latest news is."
And police hope the next news is the arrest of a violent man who they fear will up the ante.
"He's used it to pistol whip people," said Fossum, "and there's no doubt in my mind (that) if it's a real gun, he'll use it to shoot somebody. So, that's why it's a high priority to get this guy off the street."
If you have any information on this case, the Minneapolis Police want you to call their tip line at 612-692-TIPS.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Fireworks Truck Explodes, Barge Aflame
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
