Armed robbery at Walmart in Blaine, Minnesota becomes a hostage situation in Anoka, Minnesota
BLAINE/ANOKA, MINNESOTA - According to a press release from the Blaine Police Department, an armed robbery occurred around 6 PM on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Walmart at 4369 Ball Road on the northeast side of Blaine, Minnesota. A male subject was observed shoplifting at Walmart and was confronted by Loss Prevention. When confronted, the male subject pulled a gun and threatened the employee before leaving Walmart.
Authorities with the Blaine Police Department were able to identify the suspect. They began to search for the suspect with help from the Anoka Hennepin Narcotic and Violent Crime Task Force. Additional help was brought in from the Minneapolis Police Department, FBI, and the Minnesota State Patrol.
Police found the suspect near the 600 block of East River Road in the City of Anoka and attempted to take the suspect into custody around 3 PM on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. While attempting to take the suspect into custody, the suspect rammed multiple law enforcement vehicles but became boxed in at the scene by police. The situation then turned into a hostage situation, as the suspect's girlfriend was also in the vehicle. A multiple-hour hostage situation then ensued, with police reporting that active negotiations were ongoing in an attempt to come to a peaceful surrender. The Blaine Police Department, Anoka Police Department, and Anoka County/Anoka Police Department SWAT were all at the scene of the incident.
At 10:20 PM on Wednesday, April 5th, the Anoka Police Department and Blaine Police Department announced that the suspect was taken into custody without incident or injury.