Mpls. Men Robbed After Hiring Exotic Dancers Online
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A couple young Minneapolis men who hired two exotic dancers they found on Craigslist ended up getting robbed at gunpoint.
The guys, who are both in their mid-20s, spent an evening drinking and celebrating last weekend. They decided to cap off their evening with entertainment provided by exotic dancers. However, barely two minutes after the women showed up at an Uptown condo, two men armed with guns burst into the unit.
The victims told police the robbers forced them at gunpoint to stay in a bathroom while they raided the place, taking off with cell phones, wallets, bags and a watch.
"It is a terrible idea to invite total strangers into your house, especially after you have been drinking," said Minneapolis Lt. Mike Fossum. "You are going to be set up for a future burglary or you are going to get a home-invasion that night."
Almost four days later, investigators are still looking for the armed robbers.
"It is not the first time they have done a home-invasion and it definitely won't be their last. So, we want to catch them before they can rob someone else," said Fossum, who supervises the MPD Robbery Unit.
He said these types of robbery are very under-reported because most victims are too embarrassed to come forward or they have also been involved in illegal activities.
"About eight out of 10 persons don't report the crime," said Lt. Fossum who said about three or four times a year he gets similar reports.
He said the two victims in the Uptown robbery are lucky they didn't get shot -- or worse. He has this advice for men looking to be entertained by exotic dancers.
"If you want to go and see some strippers, go to the legitimate clubs that we have all over the metro area. At least it is safe, somewhat safe, in there, opposed to having somebody come to your home," said Fossum.
One of the victims, who said he feared for his safety and did not want to be identified, said he hopes that by reporting the crime to police it will help prevent someone else from getting hurt.
He also said he hopes his experience will make other men "think before you go drinking. It skews your decision-making process."
