MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 34-year-old Minneapolis man has been charged in connection with a recent incident where, without warning, he attacked another man and stole a gun that the victim had a permit for, according to police.
Willie Merriweather was charged with first-degree aggravated robbery in connection with the May 21 incident, which happened in the area of 31st Street East and 3rd Avenue South. Police said an adult male was walking home in the area when a man, later identified as Merriweather, was walking the other way and suddenly slammed the victim into a parked car.
The victim hurt his arm and wasn’t able to defend himself. Merriweather allegedly searched the victim, eventually finding a pistol, and put it to the victim’s head while demanding valuables. The victim lost the gun and his wallet during the attack, police said.
Officers later found Merriweather near the crime scene and arrested him. He is currently in the Hennepin County Jail and is a known felon with several aliases. The victim’s handgun has not been recovered.
