Minneapolis police arrest 6 juveniles after 62-year-old woman tackled, carjacked

article

The Minneapolis police logo on a squad vehicle. (FOX 9)

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A group of children between the ages of 11 and 15 was arrested after police say they attacked a 62-year-old woman and stole her vehicle.  

The Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) says the relationships formed through the MPD Curfew Task Force helped provide information that made the arrests possible. 

62-year-old woman tackled, carjacked 

Big picture view:

MPD officials said in a news release that the 62-year-old woman was attacked around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7. 

While walking to her home, the group of juveniles, reportedly five boys and a girl between the ages of 11 and 15, "jumped out of a vehicle, tackled her to the ground, stole her keys and fled the scene in her vehicle", according to MPD. 

The carjacked vehicle was then found about three hours later after some of the juveniles' parents gave information to police. 

Police say when they tried to stop the stolen vehicle, the driver fled, and a Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) helicopter tracked the vehicle with officers "following at a safe distance." 

The stolen vehicle then stopped near the intersection of 8th Avenue North and Queen Avenue North. The six juveniles then exited the vehicle and hid in a nearby garage.  

Police say they then surrounded the garage and called the juveniles out of hiding. All were reportedly arrested. 

A 15-year-old boy in the group was also wanted for attempted murder, according to police. 

MPD Chief Brian O'Hara statement

What they're saying:

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara shared this statement on the arrest:

"This was great collaborative work that interrupted the recurring criminal behavior of a group of juveniles," said MPD Chief O’Hara in a news release. "I am thankful for recent investments in facilities designed to address youth behavior issues. However, the gap that allows juveniles to cycle in and out of the system remains. We need increased urgency among all leaders in our community and in government to address this issue. The current system is failing, putting our youth, their victims, and even our officers at risk."

MPD Curfew Task Force 

The backstory:

The news release credits the MPD Curfew Task Force, which was established in Sept. 2024, for providing information that led to the arrest.

READ MORE: Increased patrols, curfew for teens after increased violence in downtown Minneapolis

Police say the "proactive approach" includes forming relationships with the families of repeat juvenile offenders while connecting them with support and resources. 

This reportedly led to real-time information being shared by some of the juvenile's parents, which helped law enforcement find the carjacked vehicle.