MINNEAPOLIS – There is a criminal twist on something that started out as fun. We’ve heard of flash mobs. Now, flash ‘robs’ are popping up in Minneapolis frustrating authorities and frightening victims.
And there is a big difference. The flash mob – people getting together for a spontaneous dance. Flash rob – people getting together to attack. Police say there have been six of these cases since February, most in and around the Nicollet Mall area. It starts as a big group of people. Then, a smaller group splinters off and spontaneously robs or chases or assaults an innocent passerby.
“It’s just mainly to create mayhem, assault people and just whatever they can do,” said Sgt. Steve McCarty with the Minneapolis Police Department. “It a weird mentality I don’t think a lot of people can fathom or understand. Just to victimize people.”
Minneapolis police have been stepping up patrols of areas where these flash robberies have popped up. In fact, officers actually saw this latest one happen and arrested the suspects quickly.
Kare 11 has the full article
