Police: Rash Of Assaults, Robberies In Coon Rapids
Police are investigating a series of assaults and robberies in Coon Rapids, Minn. that appears to string back as far as March.
According to Coon Rapids Police, two of the most recent cases both occurred last Wednesday on Hanson Boulevard. Both incidents involved a victim being suddenly approached and beaten by a group before their purse or wallet was stolen.
"My upper jaw was cracked all the way across so they had to screw that back together," said recent victim Bryan Novak.
Novak's face is severely swollen, he has two black eyes and cuts on his lips. He is the father of 13 children and his two youngest were scared to look at him at first.
"My nose is cracked in several places too that they had to repair," said Novak.
Last Wednesday, after dropping off a car for repairs, Novak an was walking home when at least two young men attacked him.
"All of a sudden it just became a nightmare. I was picking myself up off the ground looking to see if I got hit by a car or if I ran into a sign. I didn't know what happened," he said.
Novak didn't get a good look at his attackers -- none of the victims have. Police say they ambush their victims, sneaking up from behind, and then repeatedly unleashing violent kicks and blows.
"All of a sudden I was just laying there and as I turned around I just saw more feet and hands coming at my face again," said Novak. "I felt totally hopeless at that point where I just had no control over the situation whatsoever."
Somehow Novak's wallet wound up in the street. The two attackers left without it. Novak said all he had in his wallet was $12.
Bloodied, his face broken in pieces, Novak ran home. While police were interviewing him, they got a call that a man on a bicycle was attacked in the same place where Novak was beaten.
"What do we need to fix in our society to fix that because this shouldn't happen to anybody for whatever reason," he said.
Novak spent four days in the hospital and will return to his job as a UPS driver in a couple of weeks. Police say his injuries are worrisome because it shows the attackers are increasing their level of violence each time they rob someone.
According to Coon Rapids Police, all the incidents happened within a mile of each other during nighttime hours. The perpetrators were said to be a group of males in their late teens or early 20s. Twice the group was identified by victims as a group of black males.
Police say money is the motive for the attacks. Three other men had their wallets taken and one woman was robbed of her purse as she was walking from her car to her apartment.
Coon Rapids authorities said residents should take precautions when walking or bicycling alone.
A reward has been offered for up to $2,000 in exchange for information leading to any arrests in these cases.
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