Overview
- Brooklyn Park police confirmed Homeland Security Investigations conducted a raid around 10 a.m. near Zane Avenue North and 85th Avenue North and said one staff member was arrested.
- Police said they were not involved in the operation and responded only to verify what had occurred at the business.
- State Sen. John Hoffman said he encountered the cafe’s aftermath, called police, spoke with the mayor, and posted that the two owners were taken, which conflicts with the police account.
- Hoffman questioned the targeting in light of DHS messaging, as the agency has promoted Operation Metro Surge as focused on violent offenders.
- A DHS press release quoted Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin saying agents have made more than 400 arrests since the Twin Cities operation began, while local reporting has documented a chilling effect on Latino and Somali-owned shops.