HAM LAKE, Minn. — A Ham Lake home was the sight of an armed home invasion. The homeowners were asleep when they were awakened by an armed male intruder who ordered them to hand over their cash.
According to the Anoka County Sheriff’s office, the male suspect pointed a handgun at the victims. Several days later one of the victims was viewing posted ads on Craigslist and found a digital camera listed that contained photographs. They noticed distinguishing characteristics on the camera listed that matched unique characteristics of a digital camera stolen during the robbery.
The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office organized a meeting with the person who listed camera. An undercover officer met with a male at a McDonald’s restaurant in Andover under the guise of purchasing the camera. That officer was able to confirm the serial number of the camera offered for sale to the camera stolen during the home invasion and the serial number was the same. The suspect was arrested at that time.
The suspect turned out to be a 17-year-old juvenile male residing in Andover. A handgun was recovered at the arrest scene in the glove compartment of the suspect’s car. A follow up was conducted by detectives at the juvenile suspect’s home. Additional stolen property from the Ham Lake home invasion was recovered along with a second handgun. The juvenile suspect’s parents were shocked by the allegations, but were cooperative with the Detectives working the case. The suspect remains in custody. The case will be reviewed by the Anoka County Attorney’s Office for possible charges.
