A Month Later, Victim Of Brutal Minneapolis Robbery Unable To Work, Drive A Car
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A relative of one of the victims of the brutal robberies in downtown Minneapolis this summer says her brother is still suffering from a concussion and unable to work or even drive a car.
Brendan O'Brien was out celebrating his birthday on Aug. 17 when he was attacked and robbed by a group of nine people near the intersection of 5th Street and Hennepin Avenue.
Widely-viewed surveillance video shows the robbers taking O'Brien's phone and wallet, repeatedly punching him in the head, and leaving him unconscious on the sidewalk after a kick to the face.
"My brother now has to deal with symptoms of brain trauma that include migraines, memory loss, inability to drive, operate machinery and unrelenting anxiety," his sister, Lily O'Brien, wrote on a GoFundMe page.
The family is seeking donations to offset medical costs and any unforeseen expenses relating to Brendan O'Brien's injuries. So far, the family has raised more than $11,000.
Minneapolis police arrested 20 people in connection to the surge in robberies downtown this summer. Of those 20, 18 have been charged.
During a three-week stretch last month, there were 48 robberies downtown, police said. When compared with last year, the number of robberies in the precinct was up over 50 percent.
In response to the violence, police issued a robbery suppression detail. After the 20 people were arrested, robbery numbers quickly dropped.