Police: 1 Arrested In Connection With Maplewood Home Invasion
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Tips from the public helped Maplewood police catch one of three people wanted in connection with a home invasion.
The crime took place Saturday afternoon at Carefree Cottages in Maplewood.
Calls to police resulted in a traffic stop at about 2 a.m. Tuesday, which led to the arrest of 25-year-old Deandre Vershawn Wims.
He is expected to be charged with using the credit cards stolen from the home invasion, but more charges may follow.
Now investigators are trying to tie him and two others still wanted to another home invasion in the area.
People who live in the 250 units at Carefree Cottages packed the community room Tuesday to hear about the steps that are being taken to keep them safe. Two incidents have left many of the residents on edge.
"We have made an arrest in this most recent case," Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell said.
Residents applauded after hearing that Wims is in custody. They are now trying to place him at the unit where a 75-year-old woman was strangled and left for dead.
"We had suspicion or concern that that may have been related to another incident, a burglary of an unoccupied unit," Schnell said.
He believes Wims also used a credit card taken from a separate home invasion.
"I got notice that one of the credit cards that I had left at home that was being used," resident Annette Peterson.
She was not home during the break-in at her unit. Police now need to find two others believed to be involved in both cases.
"Never feel safe completely," resident Howard Hobbs said. "You can't now a days, it's a bad time."
Residents say increased police presence, and a portable camera on site providing surveillance, helps their sense of security.
They will not rest well until all parties involved in these home invasions are caught.
Police say the 75-year-old victim should make a full recovery.
The search continues for the other two suspects. Search warrants are now being served, and investigators hope to find them soon.
Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact police at 651-767-0640.
