Man suspected of Mpls. home invasion charged; children were in the home
Police say the burglary could be related to dozens of similar incidents targeting Latino residents
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Hennepin County prosecutors have charged a man with breaking into a Minneapolis duplex, tying up a teenager and stealing more than $10,000 while two other children were in the home.
Minneapolis police say around two dozen similar incidents have occurred in recent months targeting Latino residents. Police believe there may be as many as three other people involved in burglarizing homes and taking people’s cash and jewelry.
Police spokesperson John Elder said in many of the incidents, the burglars threatened children with guns and knives “to gain compliance from the parents.”
Prosecutors say Robert E. Buckingham, 33, entered the upper level of a duplex in the 2700 block of 12th Avenue South sometime after 6 p.m. on Sunday. According to the criminal complaint, Buckingham used zip ties to restrain a 14-year-old and threatened him with a knife. Two other children, one with Down syndrome and a 2-year-old, apparently were left alone but could not describe what happened.
Buckingham then allegedly took more than $10,000 in cash. He was charged with burglary in the first degree and aggravated robbery. A search of his home found $10,860 in cash, as well as clothing that matched descriptions, according to the criminal complaint.
Two adults, described in court documents as a husband and wife, had left the teen and children at around 6 p.m. and said they were gone around 30 minutes. When they returned, they found the teen in the bathroom.
A neighbor in the lower level unit of the duplex told investigators she found a wooden box and a torn window screen. Investigators believe the intruder was able to get into the upper level unit by going through a hallway.
Prosecutors say surveillance video also shows Buckingham in the area, walking around the building and back out front at about the time of the alleged burglary.
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