Minnesotans voiced their grievances at a packed city council meeting Monday, complaining about increased crime in their neighborhood after a local mother was violently carjacked in her own driveway last month.
“We, the law-abiding people of this community, have had enough,” one resident told the Minnetonka City Council.
“When these kinds of car thefts and (some) gun thefts happen in a community like this, something has to be done,” said another resident, while Craig, the husband of the victim of the carjacking Kelly Beason warned the same crime could happen to anyone.
MINNESOTA CRIME DECLINE TRIGGER FEDERAL Crackdown: “WE CANNOT ALLOW THIS RANGE OF VIOLENCE TO CONTINUE”
Minnetonka, Minnesota resident Kelly Beason was attacked during a carjacking outside her home last month. (FOX & Friends/Screenshot)
Beason told FOX News on Wednesday that the suspects followed her home from the grocery store and boarded two cars in her garage.
“I saw a few guys running down our driveway and I ran to the garage to see what was going on. One was in my husband’s car. One was in my car and the other took off running when he saw me, and I chased him. Then we were in the street,” she explained.
Beason said the suspects assaulted her, dragging her out of one of the cars after she retrieved their cellphones from inside the vehicle. One even attacked her 13-year-old son after he went outside and called 911.
MINNESOTA BREWERY ADVANCES CLOSING TIME DUE TO INCREASE IN CRIME, ROBBED TWICE BY SAME SUSPECT
CraigBeason spoke at Monday’s city council meeting, warning that the same crime could happen to anyone. (FOX & Friends/Screenshot and Minnetonka City Council)
“When they left, they attacked us with the two stolen cars. The two cars they owned were stolen,” she said.
Beason said it appears the problem is becoming more common as other community members have shared similar experiences with her. Afterward, she says she’s grateful that she and her son are OK.
“I think once I saw my son there, it really brought things into focus, how bad it was. And especially when they went there and tried to take his phone and attack him, that (at that point) was really how serious the situation was. It really came true,” she said.
Kelly’s husband, who also spoke to FOX News on Wednesday, blamed Hennepin County, Minnesota District Attorney Mary Moriarty, alleging she “maintained” the position “that she was not going to prosecute for crimes like this (car theft)”
“I think it’s, at best, absolutely irresponsible,” he said.
“I don’t feel like things are changing. Every elected official I’ve contacted has sat down and talked to Kelley about it myself, with the exception of the Hennepin County Attorney, and the only person Who can do something about this right now is the Hennepin County DA.”
FOX News Digital reached out to Moriarty’s office for comment but did not receive a response.
FAMILY SEEKS TO FLEE MINNESOTA HOME ONE WEEK AFTER MOVING AMID CRIME WAVE AND DEADLY SHOOTING
Residents of Minnetonka, Minnesota, rallied around Kelly Beason after she was violently carjacked in front of her own home. (Fox News)
Police arrested Romell Roshode Lewis, one of the alleged suspects in the incident, on Tuesday, according to FOX 9 in Minneapolis. Reason said three of them remain at large.
According to the outlet, Craig said at Monday’s city council meeting that his son was still suffering “trauma” from the ordeal.
“He wakes up in the middle of the night to every car passing on the street, thinking someone is going to come back,” he said.
FOX News Digital has also reached out to the Minnetonka City Council for comment on the incident.
Minnetonka Ward 3 City Council member Bradley Schaeppi declined to comment, deferring to the mayor and city manager as the best spokespersons to comment further.
Deb Calvert, another city council representative, emphasized her support for law enforcement when she made a statement:
“I share the feelings of fear, violation and desire for action that arise from horrific crimes like the carjacking that was highlighted at the meeting. I am sorry that this happened to them and it is unacceptable. I am proud of our police department and their work – and for example, the attacker was arrested yesterday because of their efforts…” the statement read in part.
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“There are gaps in our criminal justice system – some of which rely on assistance from other government units to help us end the cycle of recidivism we see, particularly among juveniles. While our police often arrest people who commit crimes here, there are no juvenile facilities and insufficient programs to hold offenders accountable, create a circuit breaker for juvenile delinquency, and redirect juvenile offenders back to productive lives. The city shared repeatedly raised concerns with county and state partners regarding the need for additional resources to hold adolescent offenders (and others) accountable, face and take responsibility for consequences, and ensure they receive follow-up or the treatment they need to turn their lives around.Restorative justice was originally designed to support victims of crime, not the criminals.
“We must cling to this principle as municipal leaders, in law enforcement, in the county attorney’s office, in the courts and in the legislature. Crime, anywhere, puts the people in danger, and it is our duty to ensure the safety of our residents. I am committed to doing so,” the press release continued.
Minnetonk Mayor Brad Wiersum also provided a statement to FOX News Digital via email.
“We remain in contact with the Beason family and share their concern and anger. Minnetonka police have arrested a man accused in the carjacking case and we expect to see further developments soon. The City Council will welcomes the dialogue with community members at our recent “We are present at this meeting and appreciate the strong support for the work of our police department. Juvenile offenders have been involved in many car theft cases in the area,” he said.
“The city has repeatedly raised concerns with county and state partners regarding the prosecution of such cases. We need a better functioning criminal justice system at all levels to ensure that young offenders are truly held accountable and receive appropriate treatment and follow-up. up.”
For more news on culture, media, education, opinion and channel coverage, visit foxnews.com/media
Fox
