St. Paul Police Warn of Home Invasions (Dent: daycare, area)

[Binky .357]

St. Paul police warn residents about home invasions

By Mara H. Gottfried
mgottfried@pioneerpress.com
Posted: 12/26/2008 12:01:00 AM CST

St. Paul police are warning today about a series of home invasion robberies, where force has been used to steal jewelry.
Police have so far linked at least four cases to the same suspects and are looking to see if there are more, said Peter Panos, police spokesman. In each case, the victims and suspects were Asian, he said.
The assailants used a ruse to gain entry — such as needing to use the phone or the bathroom; in one case, the suspect asked about an in-home daycare, Panos said. It wasn't clear from a report whether children were present at the daycare, he said.
Inside the home, the suspects have used physical force or pointed a handgun at victims before stealing jewelry they're wearing, Panos said. People have been left with minor injuries, he said.
The robberies have occurred throughout the city, Panos said. Two occurred in the last month and one was in August, Panos said.
Police said both suspects are Asian males in their 20s. One is 5 feet 1 inch to 5 feet 4 inches tall and has a slender build. The other is 5 feet 1 inch to 5 feet 5 inches tall and has a heavy build.
In two of the cases, a tan Toyota van has been seen leaving the area immediately afterward, Panos said. Anyone with information is asked to the call the police department's Western District investigations at 651-266-5415.

Be safe, folks. Don't let your guard down.