Brooklyn Park police say a suspect has been arrested in connection to two home invasions and sexual assaults over the past week.
The arrest comes just hours after the Brooklyn Park Police Department announced a multi-agency task force had been formed to search for a man who held a gun to a woman and sexually assaulted her Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred on the 7500 block of Jersey Avenue North, less than a mile from where a man entered a woman’s home before demanding money, holding her at gunpoint and sexually assaulting her July 17.
The victim of the July 22 incident described the suspect as a light-skinned black man with medium-length dreadlocks sticking out from the balaclava he was wearing during the incident.
At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Police Chief Mark Bruley said the incidents are connected.
“We absolutely believe, based on all the evidence available to us, that this is one individual that committed both of these crimes,” Bruley said.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and federal law enforcement are reportedly working on the investigation in collaboration with Brooklyn Park police.
At the news conference, Bruley advised members of the public are advised to secure all doors and windows, particularly those on the ground floor, and check security cameras for any evidence of an individual lurking in residential areas over the past week.
“These types of crimes — to enter into somebody’s home and sexually assault them is so intrusive and violating,” Bruley said. “That’s why we’re coming to the community asking for help, and I really mean that we’re asking you for help. We only have so many tools available for us. It is truly the community that gives us the leads and partners with us, that makes us the most effective at resolving these cases.”
According to Bruley, the suspect is believed to have entered both homes through unlocked or unsecured doors.
“Of course, there’s no blame. I’d be the first one that forgets to lock a door when I go to bed. I am asking the community right now to remind each other, this is the time to lock your doors, protect yourselves and report anything that you find suspicious,” Bruley said.
July 22 incident details
At approximately 6:30 a.m., Brooklyn Park police were notified of an assault in the 7500 Block of Jersey Avenue North. Responding officers learned a man had entered a woman’s residence around 5:30 a.m. and held a gun to the victim’s head before sexually assaulting her.
The suspect fled the scene prior to the 911 call and officers were unable to locate him.
July 17 incident details
Brooklyn Park police responded to the scene around 5 a.m. July 17 after receiving a report of a home invasion in a townhome complex on the 7600 block of Hampshire Ave. N., near Hartkopf Park.
The victim reported waking up to an unknown adult male holding her at gunpoint, police said. The suspect allegedly demanded money from the victim and then sexually assaulted her.
According to the victim, the suspect fled on foot before she was able to call 911. She described the suspect as a light-skin black male in his early 20s with a medium build, estimated to be between 5’ 2” and 5’ 6” in height. He was reportedly wearing a black hoodie-style sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and glasses at the time of the assault.
A significant police response was initiated due to the nature of the offense. A large-scale search was conducted Friday morning with assistance from neighboring law enforcement in Crystal and Brooklyn Center.
The suspect was not immediately located.