[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz announced today that the Minnesota State Patrol and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) will continue their effort this weekend to address crime and gun violence in the Twin Cities. Last weekend, the State Patrol made nearly 1,500 traffic stops in a successful effort to help stop illegal street racing, dangerous driving, and other criminal activity. Those traffic stops led to dozens of DWI arrests, more than 100 citations for driving without a valid license, and multiple people cited for having illegal fireworks.

“I am grateful to the Minnesota State Patrol and the BCA for answering the call to make our state safer for everyone,” said Governor Walz. “I am proud of the coordination across our law enforcement agencies and expect these efforts will continue to be successful.”

“Our goal was to swell resources to combat street racing and other illegal activity over the weekend. The results generated speaks for itself,” said Col. Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. “ Troopers from across the state assisted and thank Minnesotans and other law enforcement agencies for their support. Like always, we will continue to focus on stopping these dangerous and unacceptable driving behaviors from occurring on Minnesota roads.”

“Criminals have grown more brazen and more violent,” said the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. “We’re working in collaboration with our local and federal partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to make our communities safer by identifying, arresting and holding these individuals accountable.”

Governor Walz has deployed the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) to work to reduce the rise in crimes involving guns, carjackings, street racing and other violent crimes plaguing metro communities. The State Patrol significantly increased its presence around the Twin Cities this past weekend by adding 20 additional troopers and aviation resources to designated areas, primarily in Minneapolis, Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon to help stop this dangerous behavior.

Stops and arrests made by all troopers in the metro:

Traffic stops: 1,459

Guns recovered: 6

DWI arrests: 45

The aviation resources helped catch people who fled from troopers. Of the 13 subjects who fled, troopers were able to arrest 10. Flight observed one subject throw an item while fleeing, which was retrieved and identified as a handgun.

BCA Efforts

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and its partner agencies are focused on homicides, shootings and other gun-related crimes. Since their effort began in the spring, the BCA and its violent crime initiative partners have also worked to disrupt robberies and aggravated assaults and continue to pursue and arrest individuals wanted on felony warrants.

• Felony arrests: 200
• Investigations opened: 98
• Firearms seized: 128
• Fentanyl pills recovered: 4,187

When agents are investigating homicides and aggravated assault and apprehending wanted persons, the teams are finding illicit, high-powered handguns and AR-15 rifles with body piercing rounds, extended magazines, ghost guns, and illicit ammunition in extremely high quantities. These are often coupled with illegal narcotics like fentanyl.

The BCA will continue this work focusing on the most violent offenders through September.

Examples of stops:

• A trooper attempted to stop a motorcycle for speeding. The motorcycle fled, reaching speeds of 130 mph. Flight tracked the motorcyclist, who eventually took off on foot. The 48-year-old man was apprehended and arrested. In his possession, the trooper found a firearm without a serial number.
• A trooper initiated a stop on a stolen unmarked security vehicle. The driver then fled on foot from the vehicle. With the assistance of aviation, troopers located the subject and administered NARCAN due to an overdose. The 33-year-old man was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant
• A trooper attempted to stop a vehicle with no plates and illegal tint. The vehicle fled on to city streets and ran through a red light. The trooper terminated the pursuit and aviation continued to track the vehicle. When the driver took off on foot, aviation observed the person toss an object, which was retrieved and identified as a handgun. A Minneapolis Community Response Team apprehended the 44-year-old man.
• A trooper responded to a fireworks complaint. The subject took off and a foot pursuit was initiated. The 25-year-old man who was apprehended had three outstanding Hennepin County warrants.
• A trooper attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding. The driver fled, reaching speeds of 120 mph. The trooper terminated the pursuit. A Hennepin County K9 team assisted with locating the suspected driver. The 38-year-old woman was arrested for 2^nd degree DWI.
• A 41-year-old man was arrested for 4th degree DWI. Troopers found an unloaded firearm in the driver’s side door.
• A trooper attempted to stop vehicle for going 98 mph in a 60 mph zone. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed passing traffic on the shoulder. A trooper initiated a successful PIT maneuver. The 28-year-old male driver was arrested for Fleeing in a Motor Vehicle and Driving after Revocation.

Last month, Governor Walz allocated $4 million federal American Rescue Plan funds towards the state’s public safety efforts. These funds are being used by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to combat violent crime, provide air support, and support victims of crime across the state.

The BCA also encourages citizens to help fight crime by coming forward with information that may help solve a case, prevent a threatened crime. There are a number of options for providing information to the BCA:

• Call the BCA Tipline at 1-877-996-6222.
• Email the BCA at bca.tips@state.mn.us.

Use the BCA tip app to send information from your mobile device about threats of violence at schools or places of worship.

Project 20(22)

This weekend, July 15 to July 17, a team of troopers will conduct high-intensity patrols on highways in the west metro as part of Project 20(22). These troopers will focus on the deadliest traffic violations: speed, lack of seat belt use, distraction and impairment.

Violent Crime Reduction Support Initiative

At the Governor’s direction, the BCA was asked to develop strategies to address increasing violent crime. The BCA assigned a team of agents and analytical support to create a Violent Crime Reduction Support Initiative which also includes a full time detective from the Fridley Police Department. This initiative is addressing violent crime in Minneapolis and the greater metropolitan area in partnership with local, state, and federal agencies working on gun-related violent crime. In addition to BCA and Fridley Police Department, the partners include the ATF, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, Hennepin County Probation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.