Minneapolis police and investigators are working to determine who is responsible after a coordinated series of overnight incidents left at least 87 vehicles with broken windows across multiple neighborhoods early Friday.
Reports to the Minneapolis Police Department came in from about 2 a.m. to 7 a.m., with damage documented in areas including Whittier, Marshall Terrace, Logan Park and parts of Northeast Minneapolis. A crew from 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS found at least 19 damaged cars near the Sawyer and Huck apartment buildings adjacent to Boom Island Park.
Police response and investigation
Minneapolis police said they activated a Crime Spree Response Protocol after receiving multiple reports of vehicle damage. Officers canvassed affected neighborhoods and were gathering information Friday afternoon, including surveillance video from residents and businesses.
No arrests had been reported as of Friday afternoon, and police said they continue to investigate whether the separate reports are related. Officials cautioned that the total number of vehicles affected could rise as more reports are filed.
Where damage was reported
Known locations included several pockets across the city; media crews and residents documented multiple incidents:
- Sawyer and Huck apartment complexes near Boom Island Park — at least 19 vehicles visibly damaged.
- Neighborhoods with reported damage: Whittier, Marshall Terrace, Logan Park and parts of Northeast Minneapolis.
- Additional, recent but separate incidents were reported near Lake Nokomis earlier in the week, when more than 30 cars were damaged.
| Time frame | Reported vehicles damaged |
|---|---|
| 2 a.m. to 7 a.m., Friday | At least 87 |
| Sawyer/Huck near Boom Island Park | At least 19 |
Community reaction
Residents described frustration and alarm after discovering shattered glass on vehicles early Friday. In Northeast Minneapolis, neighbors along Van Buren Street reported damage occurring around 4 a.m.
“They didn’t even take anything, they just hit windows,”
said Josie Kamara, who reported damage to her own vehicle. The apparent senselessness of the incidents drew condemnation from local officials.
“A person who does this is not well inside, they’re sick,” said Michael Rainville, City Council member for Ward 3, which covers some affected areas. Rainville suggested re-examining the city’s chase policy, noting that Minneapolis does not pursue vehicles as aggressively as in prior years and that policy limits can affect the ability to apprehend suspects in fast-moving incidents.
What police are asking from the public
Investigators are asking anyone with surveillance video, dash-cam footage or other information related to overnight break-ins and window smashings to share it with the Minneapolis Police Department. Police emphasized that while some incidents involved similar suspect vehicle descriptions, there is not yet a single suspect description that fits all of the events.
Minneapolis has seen recurring problems with vehicle break-ins and vandalism for several years, and law enforcement and community leaders have periodically discussed approaches to prevention, evidence collection and prosecution. Whether the latest spree is connected to earlier incidents remains under investigation.
As investigators continue to canvass neighborhoods and process reports, residents are being advised to check surveillance systems, report damage to police, and take precautions such as removing valuables from vehicles and parking in well-lit areas when possible.
WE NEWS will update this report as police release further details, including any arrests, suspect descriptions or links between incidents.
