From MPD:

Dangerous gunfire leads to a police pursuit that results in three juvenile arrests.

May 16, 2023 (Minneapolis) On May 15, at approximately 2:10 p.m., officers from the Minneapolis Police Department responded to ShotSpotter activation and 911 calls of approximately one dozen shots fired near the 2100

Block of Girard Ave N. Soon after, on the same block, individuals at the Minneapolis Public Schools Davis Center reported building damage from gunfire. Officers confirmed the damage and collected evidence. Based on video footage and information from individuals near the area of the shots-fired call, officers located one of two vehicles that were involved in the shots-fired incident. The juveniles operating a stolen Kia fled from officers near Lowry Ave N and Logan Ave N. Officers pursued the vehicle. When the pursuit traveled near an occupied school bus dropping off children, officers discontinued the pursuit out of concern for the safety of the school children.

Officers began to intermittently track the vehicle through cameras until officers in a squad made contact with the stolen Kia again near Lyndale and 25th Ave N. The pursuit was resumed. With the help of an MN State Trooper Helicopter, officers were able to follow the stolen Kia from a distance. At approximately 2:30 p.m. near 28th St E and Portland Ave S, the four occupants of the stolen Kia fled on foot.

Chief O’Hara was near the location where the juveniles fled on foot. He responded to the scene and joined the pursuit, running after one of the juvenile suspects, and placed him under arrest. In total, 3 of the 4 juvenile males were arrested and booked into the Juvenile Detention Center for weapons-related charges. Two firearms were recovered from the stolen Kia.

“The reckless and violent behavior being undertaken by juveniles in stolen Kia and Hyundai vehicles is an emergency,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “These juveniles are a danger to themselves and to anyone who happens to be around them. For the past year, they have been allowed to continue to wreak havoc in our neighborhoods with no recourse and no consequences. We cannot continue to tolerate this behavior.”

Today’s pursuit and ultimate arrests were facilitated by a recent update to the pursuit policy that Chief O’Hara enacted on May 2nd allowing for the pursuit of vehicles in the instance of felony firearm discharges. This revision in the pursuit policy and the Chief’s actions today demonstrate his support of MPD officers and his understanding that we can no longer allow this behavior to go unanswered. The Chief will continue to take action and ensure that officers are equipped with every tool necessary to carry out their duties and protect our community.

Views: 1

According to the criminal complaint, at about 6:40 pm on 26 February 2021, St. Paul police responded to 111 East Kellogg Blvd. of a report of a carjacking.

When police arrived, they reported that the victim appeared frightened. He identified Erbob in the passenger seat as the one who hit him and tried to steal his car. Police said Erbob smelled of alcohol.

The victim told officers that he went to that address to pick up his friend. Erbob forced his way into his vehicle and demanded a ride. When he refused, Erbob began to punch him in the face and tried to push him out of the vehicle, according to the complaint.

“I just want to say at the time of the offense, I was under the influence and not aware,” Erbob told the judge. “I’m not a citizen. I do not want to get deported. I have no family back home. I’ve been here since I was about 2 years old.”

Erbob has a lengthy criminal record, which includes convictions for robbery, giving police a false name, thefts, trespassing and in 2013, a conviction for first-degree aggravated robbery for which he was sentenced to 57 months in prison.

Here is an Erbob rap sheet: [click on Image to enlarge]

Views: 17

Seven Minneapolis Men Face Federal Charges for Violent Crimes

Charges include carjacking, firearms violations, and drug trafficking occurring in the area of Chicago and Franklin

Charged: Albert Walter Bratton III, Marion Quintel Ware, Namiri Love Laquandas Tanner, Shamar Jamareus Scott, Anthony Shaquan Kemp, Devon Martell Harmon, and Tiray Yvonne Dyson.

MINNEAPOLIS – Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats today announced federal charges against seven individuals for violent criminal activity, including carjacking, drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and possession of a machine gun.

According to court documents, in mid-2021, law enforcement had documented a recent increase in gang activity along with numerous violent incidents, including shootings and murders, in and around the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Franklin Avenue in south Minneapolis. On June 10, 2021, officers with the Minneapolis Police Department conducting surveillance in the area observed several individuals engaging in what appeared to be hand-to-hand drug deals. When officers approached the group, Albert Walter Bratton, III, 26, attempted to flee on foot, but officers were able to apprehend him after he stumbled and fell. After Bratton fell, officer recovered a Glock model 43, 9 mm semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine, which Bratton had removed from his waistband. Officers later recovered from Bratton’s possession two baggies containing a total of approximately 10 grams of crack cocaine, divided into several smaller baggies for distribution. Bratton has been charged via criminal complaint with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, on June 15, 2021, Marion Quintel Ware, 19, carjacked a 2007 Ford Focus by using force, violence, and intimidation against the victim. A recently unsealed indictment charges Ware with one count of aiding and abetting carjacking.

According to court documents, on July 21, 2021, Namiri Love Laquandas Tanner, 21, was in possession of a .40-caliber Glock pistol with a high-capacity magazine, equipped with an attached conversion device, commonly known as a “glock switch” or “auto-sear.” These devices are designed to convert a semi-automatic weapon to shoot automatically by a single pull of the trigger and are classified as machine guns under federal law. A recently unsealed indictment charges Tanner with one count of possession of a machine gun.

Four additional defendants have been indicted for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Shamar Jamareus Scott, 21, is charged with one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. Anthony Shaquan Kemp, Jr., 22, is charged with one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. Devon Martell Harmon and Tiray Yvonne Dyson, both 38, are each charged with one count of possessing ammunition as a felon. All four defendants have previous felony convictions and are therefore prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The defendants made their initial appearances earlier today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz.

These cases are being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

These cases are the result of an investigation led by the Minneapolis Police Department, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Secret Service.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amber M. Brennan and Harry M. Jacobs.

DOJ

Views: 4

From St. Louis Park police:

Update: Suspects charged following arrests for carjacking, vehicle thefts and robberies in St. Louis Park

Post Date:January 19, 2022 6:38 p.m.

Update: On Jan. 21, 2022, the two suspects referenced below were charged in Hennepin County District Court. Both were charged with multiple felony crimes and bail was set at $250,000 each. Read the complaints for Kashwan Jason Wertman and for Nautica Alaja Argue.

On Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at around 1:15 p.m., St. Louis Park police officers responded to the 2700 block of Louisiana Court South in St. Louis Park on report of a robbery. Suspects threatened to shoot an adult female driver, then took her car keys. The suspects left in both the victim’s vehicle and a second vehicle which was determined to be one stolen in St. Louis Park earlier in the week.

The St. Louis Park Police Department, in collaboration with more than 12 local, county and state agencies, determined that the suspects in this case were KASHWAN JASON WERTMAN (9-8-03) and NAUTICA ALAJA ARGUE (10-28-02), both St. Paul residents. Further investigation led investigators to determine that Wertman and Argue were suspects in many other incidents, including eight in St. Louis Park. Incidents include:

One 1st Degree Aggravated Robbery – St. Louis Park
Six 2nd Degree Aggravated Robberies – St. Louis Park, White Bear Lake, Roseville, Richfield, Brooklyn Center and Woodbury
13 Simple Robberies – St. Louis Park (6), Columbia Heights (2), Plymouth, Roseville, Edina and Ramsey County
One Attempted Simple Robbery – Eagan
One Motor Vehicle Theft – St. Louis Park
One Flee Police in Motor Vehicle – Ramsey County

On Jan. 18, St. Louis Park Investigators issued a probable cause arrest notice to area law enforcement agencies and provided information that Wertman and Argue were believed to be driving a silver Audi TT, taken Jan. 16, in a robbery from an adult female victim in the 5500 block of Cedar Lake Road in St. Louis Park.

At approximately 6:18 p.m. Jan. 18, the stolen Audi was located and fled from law enforcement officers. St. Louis Park officers were not involved in the subsequent pursuit that proceeded through numerous cities. The vehicle eventually stopped and its occupants, Wertman and Argue, were arrested in St. Paul in the 1700 block of Maryland Avenue East. The suspects were found to be in possession of evidence connected to the other incidents above. Both suspects remain in custody in the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center in Minneapolis and have been questioned by St. Louis Park police investigators.

Wertman was charged in an April 11, 2021, aggravated robbery involving use of a firearm occurring in St. Louis Park. At the time of last night’s arrest, Wertman had multiple active arrest warrants, including one stemming from that incident. Five others included 2nd Degree Assault, Motor Vehicle Theft, Domestic Assault and Tampering with a Motor Vehicle.

The case file described above, and related cases covering crimes attributable to Wertman and Argue, are being submitted to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for charging. Other charges will be submitted to the Ramsey and Washington county attorney’s offices.

Other ongoing investigations in St. Louis Park and other jurisdictions with connections to Wertman and Argue will result in charging submissions in the future.

Special thanks to Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office investigators and analysts and to officers and deputies from the Minneapolis Police Department, St. Paul Police Department and Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in locating the suspects and stolen vehicles involved.

The St. Louis Park Police Department will continue to investigate additional related incidents in the coming days. Anyone with additional information on any related cases should call the St. Louis Park Police at 952.924.2600.

The law enforcement efforts that led to the arrests of Wertman and Argue are a successful first step in confronting those responsible for the violence that has impacted so many victims directly. It is also a critical step toward combating the increase in violent crime that has plagued so many communities of late. Law enforcement’s continuing partnerships with one another, and our vigilance in taking on this violent crime, is a responsibility taken seriously by our agencies and is a reflection of our commitment to those in our communities that we serve and have sworn to keep safe.

From Sheriff Fletcher:

Thank you to the many agencies that assisted the Ramsey County Carjacking & Auto Theft “CAT” Unit in arresting two parties wanted for 5 carjackings and three other robberies over the past 10 days in St. Louis Park. The one hour pursuit was a total team effort with help from the Minnesota State Patrol, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriffs Office, Roseville Police Department, St. Paul Police Department, Washington County Sheriffs Office, Dakota County Sheriffs Office and others. A special thank you to the staff monitoring the state highway cameras. You were our “most valuable player” last night. At the speed the suspects were traveling we would never have apprehended them without your outstanding work.

[Hennepin county da, and ag Ellison have allowed this to go on and they are weak at prosecuting thugs]

From Hennepin County Attorneys office:
Wertman, Argue charged in connection to numerous carjacking-related offenses

Two individuals involved in more than 20 carjacking-related offenses across Hennepin County, and neighboring cities, have been charged. This comes following a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement effort that apprehend the two suspects, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Friday.

Kashawn Wertman, 18, of St. Paul, and 19-year-old Nautica Argue, of St. Paul, are facing a combined 31 counts for their involvement in numerous cross-county carjacking-related offenses that occurred between Jan. 7 – Jan. 17. These charges range from aggravated robbery to theft from a person.

Presently, Wertman has been charged with 17 counts, while Argue faces 14 counts. While the investigation is on-going, it is anticipated that additional charges will be filed.

First appearances for Wertman and Argue have been scheduled for Jan. 21 at 2:30 p.m.

“The excellent police work by the numerous law enforcement agencies in the greater Twin Cities area has resulted in the apprehension of two dangerous people, who had terrorized countless community members,” Freeman stated.

“Our office will now do our part as the charging agency in the criminal justice system, and prosecute these defendants to the fullest extent of the law.”

According to the criminal complaint, between Jan. 7 – Jan. 17, Wertman and Argue were involved in nearly 25 carjacking-related offenses which occurred in St. Louis Park, Plymouth, Richfield, Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis, Edina, White Bear Lake, Roseville, Columbia Heights, Lakeville, Eagan, Little Canada, Burnsville, Woodbury, and Saint Paul.

A total of 10 vehicles were stolen violently from victims that were used to commit these offenses.

On Jan. 18, Ramsey County Sheriff’s deputies went to the 1700 block of Maryland Avenue in St. Paul in search of Wertman. Officers later encountered the stolen Audi TT being driven by Wertman with Argue in the passenger seat.

When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Wertman began to speed off. He eventually drove into the Cedar Riverside neighborhood and then back to the 1700 block of Maryland Avenue in St. Paul where additional police were waiting, the complaint states.

Both Wertman and Argue admitted to certain offenses when speaking with law enforcement following their arrests.

Upon Wertman’s arrest, Wertman told police that they should be “out arresting murderers, not people who steal cars.”

Bail has been set for Argue at $250K without conditions, $150K with conditions.

At the request of the defense, the bail argument for Wertman has been reserved.
Quick video on the thugs:

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Minneapolis Woman Sentenced to 100 Months in Prison for Role in Violent Twin Cities Carjacking Spree

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis woman was sentenced to 100 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $13,323.53 in restitution, for her role in a string of violent carjackings throughout the Twin Cities. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz sentenced the defendant.

“The staggering increase in carjackings throughout the Twin Cities metro has not gone unnoticed by federal law enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats. “In partnership with local and federal law enforcement, we will not hesitate to prosecute individuals who perpetrate this type of violence in our communities. Today’s sentence highlights the seriousness of these crimes and the significant penalties facing those who commit them.”

“The recent spike in carjackings has spread a sense of terror and fear across our communities, and we are pleased that this sentence sends a strong message of deterrence to those seeking to victimize our neighbors,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Paul. “The FBI is committed to doing all we can to work with our partners to stop this menace and bring back a sense of peace and calm throughout our metropolitan neighborhoods.”

According to court documents, on August 28, 2020, Krisanne Marie Benjamin, 25, and her co-defendant Jeremiah Lee Ironrope, 25, drove a maroon SUV to a parking lot in Richfield, where they parked near a 2017 Audi. Ironrope approached the driver of the Audi and pointed a Remington 870 l2-gauge shotgun, with a sawed-off barrel, at the driver and demanded the car keys. Benjamin kept watch from the maroon SUV as Ironrope started the Audi and drove away. Benjamin followed in the maroon SUV.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of August 29, 2020, the Minnesota State Patrol used GPS data to track and locate the stolen Audi, which was driven by Ironrope and occupied by Benjamin. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but Ironrope drove away at a high rate of speed, while cutting across multiple lanes of traffic, swerving between cars, and driving through red lights. During the flight from law enforcement, Benjamin got out of the vehicle and fled on foot while Ironrope continued fleeing in the Audi. Law enforcement found the vehicle running and unoccupied in Minneapolis. The vehicle had been partially spray-painted black. Inside officers found a stolen wallet, bottles of spray paint, a hat, gloves, and receipts. Law enforcement also found a used l2-gauge shotgun shell under the driver’s seat.

On September 7, 2021, Benjamin pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting carjacking. On September 9, 2021, Co-defendant Ironrope pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 7, 2022 by U.S. District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.

As part of their guilty pleas, Ironrope and Benjamin admitted to two additional carjackings that occurred on July 26, 2020, in Maple Grove and August 7, 2020, in St. Paul. In both instances, the defendants physically assaulted the victims before stealing their vehicles. Ironrope also admitted to two December 2020 carjackings occurring in St. Louis Park and St. Paul. In both instances, Ironrope pointed a handgun at the victims before stealing their vehicles.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the St. Paul Police Department, the Maple Grove Police Department, the Richfield Police Department, the Edina Police Department, the Roseville Police Department, and the Minnesota State Patrol.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan H. Nelson.

Benjamin’s history of crime!

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