Suspect to Be Charged in Thefts from Kingfield Cars

Minneapolis police are preparing to charge a suspect for breaking into at least two cars in Kingfield in early November. Police haven't released any information about the suspect.

Fifth Precinct Crime Prevention Specialist Amy Lavender said the suspect, whose name is being withheld pending the charges, was caught after trying to sell items stolen from the cars at a pawnshop. She said some of the stolen items may be returned to the victims.

On Nov. 2, seven thefts were reported from cars in Kingfield. All thefts occurred overnight between 40th St. and 45th St. on Garfield, Lyndale and Harriet Avenues. The robber rifled through cars, taking a wallet, cameras, iPods and an electronic measuring tool, according to police reports.

One victim who discovered that her wallet had been stolen, called to cancel her credit cards only to learn someone had charged $700 to her Visa card.

Kingfield resident Mark Lutterman had his truck broken into that night or early morning.

"It's never fun to have somebody steal stuff," Lutterman said. "The main thing they did is just tossed all the papers around in there and took one small tool."

Lutterman realized the truck had been broken into on the next morning when his doorbell rang. When he opened the door, no one was there, just his gym bag. "I'm pretty sure a neighbor  brought it to the door," he said. "There was stuff spilled on the curb next to the truck, so I'm assuming somebody recognized it."

Lavender said some simple things that residents can do to avoid theft is to lock doors and turn on lights.  "A big majority of our crimes are doors that are left unlocked or even open," she said. "It doesn't mean locks can't be breached, [but] there's stuff you can do."

Lavender and a colleague are also available to conduct home security surveys. "We can come out and look at your locks and windows, your landscaping, your lighting, for free," she said.

Lavender urged people pay attention and call 911 if they see suspicious activity. "There are so many people who don't utilize the 911 system because they think it has to be a life-threatening emergency," she said. "But really, 911 is there for any type of police response."

For more tips on crime prevention from the Minneapolis Police Department, click on the above PDF.