Reward offered for information after man robs mother at gunpoint in Brooklyn Center

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (KMSP) - Brooklyn Center police are on the lookout for a man who they say robbed a woman at gunpoint in broad daylight.

Monday afternoon, a woman was walking home with her children near the 1200 block of 54th Avenue North when a man approached her at gunpoint. When she refused to give up her purse, a struggle ensued.

“At some point during the struggle, the suspect fired at least one gun shot, which we’re still trying to determine if that actually struck the victim or not,” said Brooklyn Center Police Commander Richard Gabler.

The suspect took off with her belongings in a dark colored vehicle, and left her with a head injury. Police are calling the incident rare.

“This person went beyond just robbing the victim, and unnecessarily firing a gun shot, so there’s a good chance that he might try to do it again we don’t know, we want to prevent that and get this guy off the road as soon as possible,” said Commander Gabler.

The Brooklyn Center Crime Prevention Fund is offering a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

“We’re definitely seeking the public’s help with any information that they may have,” said Gabler. “We are also asking our residents who are living along 54th Avenue, from Logan to Fremont, if you have a home surveillance system to review it particularly around the time on October 22 from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.”

Police describe the suspect as a man, 5 feet 10 inches tall, between 20 and 30 years old, with a skinny build. Those who live nearby are advised to be mindful of their surroundings.

“To do this out in the open, and including firing a gun during the day, it’s  definitely risky behavior,” said Gabler.