Overview
- In the first two months of 2026, Minneapolis logged 1,054 vehicle thefts versus 195 in St. Paul, and the Minneapolis total reached 1,308 by March 16, about five times St. Paul’s count.
- Minneapolis police cite chronic understaffing, the lack of a dedicated auto-theft unit, and a policy not to pursue stolen vehicles as key contributors.
- Leaders say Operation Metro Surge pulled officers and investigators from regular duties early this year, which they describe as a contributing factor to the spike.
- Ramsey County’s specialized Carjacking and Auto Theft unit, launched with a 2021 state grant, reports a 61% three-year decline in thefts, and a Hennepin County task force has recovered 169 vehicles and made 48 felony arrests in 2026 with suburban partners.
- The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says only about 3% of auto-theft cases result in arrests, and Minneapolis police are piloting forensic processing of recovered vehicles while warning about growing use of key-programming technology.