Watch CBS News

Eagan Outlet Mall Accused Of Racial Profiling

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Twin Cities outlet mall is facing a growing number of accusations of racial profiling.

There are videos from two separate incidents inside the Premium Outlet Mall in Eagan.

One video was taken on Feb. 9.

A mother and her two daughters say they were falsely accused of a crime, and when they spoke up they were arrested.

Tonya Harper says she thought someone was playing a game on her when officers approached her at the mall with allegations of theft.

She was accused of stealing a cell phone from another shopper.

Harper said she started recording the incident on her cell phone as soon as the officers approached.

She says she was told her crime was caught on camera.

"They say they have us on video stealing the phone from them, so were asking...let's see the video," said Tarena Dixon, Harper's daughter. "When we stepped outside, it was a whole different story."

Harper's recording shows her oldest daughter getting arrested.

"She told them, 'Don't talk to me like that,' and they said that they could talk to me like they wanted to, and so she was like, 'Well, I can talk to you like I want to then,'" Harper said.

Chief Jim McDonald of the Eagan Police Department said the officers were not racial profiling, but doing their jobs.

"They gave repeated warnings to some alleged suspects for disorderly conduct and ultimately they arrested them," McDonald said.

A mall spokesperson said safety is the mall's number one priority, and they are working with Eagan police to clarify policies and procedures.

He says racial profiling will not be tolerated.

"What we have seen is disturbing, and we take seriously any issues related to inequality," said Simon Management spokesperson Les Morris.

There are at least two other videos of alleged racial profiling at the Eagan Outlet Mall posted on social media.

Eagan police say in each case they were responding to calls from third parties and are obligated to investigate.

Harper's two daughters have court appearances Tuesday morning. Both were charged with disorderly conduct.

She says they were not arrested for stealing, because they did nothing wrong.

Harper hopes the charges will be thrown out.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.