Six kids arrested after string of armed robberies, crashes in south Minneapolis

Police arrested six kids on Tuesday after a string of violent robberies at gunpoint followed by two car crashes in south Minneapolis.

The kids involved, according to Minneapolis police, include three boys ages 11, 12 and 13, and two girls, ages 14 and 12, respectively. All of them have been booked into the Juvenile Detention Center.

According to the police report, officers were alerted to a robbery at gunpoint in the 5100 block of 41 Ave. S at around 11:30 a.m. Shortly after, officers responded to a second robbery where shots were fired — no injuries were reported — in the 3400 block of Bloomington Ave. A third robbery at gunpoint occurred around 1:30 p.m. near 24 ^th St. and Pleasant Ave.

Numerous officers from multiple local law enforcement agencies began scouring the area in search of involved vehicles before a flood of 911 callers reported reckless drivers in the area.

One of the cars was located and officers initiated a stop only to have the driver flee. A Police gave pursuit and it ended when the driver crashed on westbound I-94 near Cedar Ave. Kids in the vehicle ran from the crash and officers were able to arrest four of them.

A second vehicle, which was not being chased by police, later crashed and two occupants fled on foot before being caught.

It's unclear if any adults or other kids were in the cars and able to escape.

Before being sent to the Juvenile Detention Center, the children were taken to area hospitals to be evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries resulting from one of the crashes.

“The fact that I see this activity continuing with children so young, despite all our efforts, is incredibly frustrating and highlights the urgent need for action. I am grateful for the immediate response of law enforcement in finding and arresting these juveniles before they could cause more harm to members than of our community or themselves," O'Hara said.

According to O’Hara, the 12-year-old boy has had multiple prior contacts with MPD, however the rest of the group had no or limited prior contact with police and will be referred to juvenile diversion programs.

MPD is investigating each kid's involvement in the three robberies and whether they were involved in further activity.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.