Jun 3, 2008 5:48 pm US/Central
Rash Of Masked Robberies Near Minneapolis Lakes
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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Police said they saw a pattern of five robberies around Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles last Wednesday through Sunday nights. The robbers were targeting couples out for an evening stroll around the lakes.
CBS
With warmer, sunny weather big crowds were flocking to the Minneapolis chain of lakes last weekend, but it also lured in a gang of masked robbers.
Minneapolis Police said they saw a pattern of five robberies around Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles last Wednesday through Sunday nights. The robbers were targeting couples out for an evening stroll around the lakes.
"That's like scary cause you usually think if you're with somebody else that then you're safer. But I guess for this it's the other way around," said Minneapolis resident Halley Lillehei.
Investigators say a group of two to six masked bandits picked their prey at Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles when couples were walking together either late at night or early morning.
"With a man with you, you wouldn't think they'd mess with you because they don't want to get into something," said Minneapolis resident Georgia Hill.
Four of the targets were male, female couples.
"I think they're targeting them because when you're with a girlfriend you don't want your lady to get hurt so you'd just give up what you need to give up," said Lake Calhoun visitor Josh Kaiser.
The fifth pair of victims was women.
"When I have a dog I'm good. If it was just me and another gal I wouldn't feel that safe, if it was in the evening. I stopped going around Cedar Lake because of all the trails," said Minneapolis resident Sarah Whitesel.
Police say each ambush has been similar.
"They're concealing their identity either by a bandanna or a good and they're implying or showing a gun demanding money," said Minneapolis Police Lt. Jack Kelly.
In one case, the victim was punched in the face several times. That instance has regulars and visitors to the lakes taking extra safety precautions.
Fifth Precinct Police Officers are working with Park Police to patrol the Calhoun and Isles area more frequently, especially on the weekends.
They say the best, easier and most obvious thing for couples to do to keep from becoming victims is to leave the lakes when the sun goes down.
Police are investigating someone recently arrested in another crime and are also exploring other leads.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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