8 Charged In Galleria Handbag Heist, Police Chase
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Eight Chicago-area men were charged Thursday in connection with a dash-and-grab theft at the Galleria in Edina that turned into a police chase across the Twin Cities.
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office filed criminal charges against the eight men in connection with Wednesday's incident, which authorities said may be part of a regional theft ring.
The suspects were identified as 22-year-old Derrick Crowder, 23-year-old William Curry, 22-year-old Clyde Dobbs, 22-year-old Thomas Gaston Jr., 21-year-old Darion Hood, 21-year-old Shawn Mondie, 39-year-old Danny Robinson and 29-year-old Leon White. All eight were charged with one felony count of theft.
According to a criminal complaint, all but White ran into the Louis Vuitton store at the Galleria in Edina when it opened at 10 a.m. Wednesday. They ran through the store, taking as much merchandise as they could, and then ran out into a waiting van that White was driving.
The complaint states a former security guard parked in the lot was suspicious of the van and when he saw the men running out of the store with the merchandise, he called police and followed the van. Several law enforcement agencies became involved in the pursuit, which reached speeds as high as 100 miles per hour, until the van was forced to stop in Woodbury.
Authorities say other Louis Vuitton stores have been hit with similar incidents throughout the U.S. and the FBI is investigating the case.
