SLP Police Help Make Arrests in West Metro Burglaries

A six-week investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the St. Louis Park Police Department, have police believing they've cracked a rash of home burglary cases in the west metro. 

Over the past week, police have arrested three men they say are tied to the incidents. A pair of mid-April burglaries in Wayzata, within blocks of each other, are at the center of continuing developments. The men arrested have also reportedly told police they participated in burglaries in Plymouth, Minnetonka and Maple Grove.

Each of the burglaries netted high-end television sets and electronics, along with jewelry and computers. But stolen firearms, police say, were the key to breaking this case.

Undercover officers in St. Louis Park and Minneapolis purchased a Browning Citori shotgun and another weapon during a sting just two days after they were reported missing in one of the Wayzata burglaries. Police soon found and arrested the two men who sold them the weapons. Both men, according to court documents, told police they took part in one of the Wayzata burglaries and also participated in several others.

Those men also tipped police to a third person believed to be connected to spree. Charges have yet to be filed against any of those arrested.  

Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold said Thursday his department is continuing to work leads.

Minneapolis Police just last week  they believe is responsible for burglaries in Minneapolis, Edina, Minnetonka, Wayzata and Plymouth. Risvold said that suspect isn't tied to the burglaries in the Lake Minnetonka area.

Patch will have updates to this story as they are available.