This summer Minneapolis Mayor Rybak contributed memorably to the city’s collection of fatuous quotes on the subject of crime when he assured citizens that “Minneapolis is a safe city for those not involved in high-risk lifestyles.” Among the high-risk activities leading to criminal victimization this summer have been sleeping at home in bed and riding a city bus. Today’s Star Tribune adds another: “Minneapolis man beaten and kidnapped by 3 men”:
A 21-year-old Minneapolis man mowing his yard Tuesday evening was kidnapped at gunpoint, duct-taped to a chair and beaten in an apparent robbery, police said.
He was approached about 9:45 p.m. by three men trying to sell a power washer before he was forced into a vehicle, said Capt. Rich Stanek. He was driven a short distance to a duplex near Lowry and Emerson Avenues N.
A woman called 911 and said she saw a man tied up in a chair, slumping and being held by several violent gang members, Stanek said. A SWAT team burst into the house about 11:15 p.m. and found the victim in the basement, he said.
“The man said, ‘Thank God you’re here. I love you guys so much,'” Stanek said.
Gardeners, consider yourselves forewarned.
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