Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime.
Three hospitalized following Whittier fire
Careless smoking caused a fire in the Whittier neighborhood Nov. 16 that sent three victims to the Hennepin County Medical Center, according to the Minneapolis Fire Department.
Firefighters arrived at 6:10 a.m. only to find a duplex at 2204/2206 Garfield Ave. was already engulfed in flames that had reached the attic, according to a Fire Department press release.
Firefighters had to evacuate the structure shortly after entering it because the fire was so extensive and porches were collapsing.
In all, 40 firefighters battled the blaze. None of them were injured.
According to the Department, fire responses are up 19 percent this year compared to 2009. Officials are reminding residents to properly dispose of cigarettes, be careful with candles, cooking, and space heaters. Most importantly, residents should make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and have fresh batteries.
CARAG
Nov. 9, 12:15 a.m. W. 31st Street and Girard Avenue
A 26-year-old man said he parked his motorcycle on the southeast corner of 31st and Girard. When he returned 90 minutes later, his motorcycle was gone. The man said he lost his keys somewhere between the intersection and Calhoun Square. The man said he recently bought the motorcycle, and therefore it did not have license plates. The motorcycle was a white Suzuki GSXR 600 with a Hitchin Post advertisement on the back.
ECCO
+ Nov. 15, 7:45 p.m.
1433 W. Lake St.
A suspect in a ski mask demanded money from an employee at American Apparel. The suspect left the store with an unknown amount of cash before police arrived.
LOWRY HILL EAST
Nov. 11, 2 a.m.
2819 Hennepin Ave.
An unknown suspect or suspects broke into the back door of Mt. Fuji Restaurant. Two cash registers had been pried open. Police did not know how much money was taken.
Nov. 9, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2808 Aldrich Ave.
A townhouse was burglarized by an unknown suspect.
KINGFIELD
Nov. 12, noon to 6 p.m.
3605 Pleasant Ave.
An unknown suspect entered a home through an open window and took $10 and a bicycle from the living room. Officers canvassed the area but did not find anything.
Nov. 15, 10:45 a.m.
3727 Blaisdell Ave.
A police officer discovered that a home had been burglarized. The owner was notified and neighbors who canvassed the area found nothing. The only known loss was an interior door window.
TANGLETOWN
+ Nov. 15, 3:30 p.m.
47th Street East and
Nicollet Avenue South
A 17-year-old boy hit a 16-year-old boy the face with a crow bar. The suspect fled the scene in an older model green sedan. The victim was taken to the hospital. Police arrested the 17-year-old boy four days later and charged him with a felony for assault with a deadly weapon.
Nov. 9, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
4634 Wentworth Ave. S.
An unknown suspect broke into a home and took property valued at $2,250.
WHITTIER
+ Nov. 9, 5 p.m. 27th Street East and 3rd Avenue South
An unknown suspect accosted a 26-year-old woman and took her cell phone.
+ Nov. 13, 10 a.m.
2 27th St. E.
An unknown suspect kicked in the rear door of Citywide Wireless, a new business that opened Nov. 1.
+ Nov. 14, 9 a.m.
2109 Nicollet Ave. S.
An unknown suspect pried open the back door of M&M Grocery Store and smashed the cash register inside. There was no money in the register. The suspect may have been caught on a security camera.