XPost: alt.fan.rush-limbaugh, mn.politics, misc.phone.mobile.iphone   
   XPost: talk.politics.guns, sac.politics   
   From: democrat-pussy@minnesota.guv   
      
   Racketeering charges were filed Tuesday against a group of Twin Cities   
   residents accused of running a “highly organized” crime ring that involved   
   stealing cellphones from people in downtown Minneapolis.   
      
   The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office alleges 12 suspects worked together   
   for nearly a year to systematically steal cell phones, fraudulently transfer   
   funds from the victims' phones and, finally, sell the stolen phone.   
      
   Those charged in the investigation are:   
      
   Aaron Johnson, age 25, of St. Paul.   
   Sharlotte Green, age 21, of St. Paul.   
   Charlie Pryor Jr., age 18, of St. Paul.   
   Charlie Pryor Sr., age 41, of St. Paul.   
   Lawrence Miles, age 22, of Bloomington.   
   Heiron Birts, age 26, of Minneapolis.   
   Alfonze Stuckey, age 23, of St. Paul.   
   Sherrod Lamar, age 23, of St. Paul.   
   Emarion White, age 18, of St. Paul.   
   Antonio Green, age 19, of St. Paul.   
   David Mullins, age 26, of Minneapolis.   
   Zhongshuang Su, a/k/a "Brandon Su," of Minneapolis.   
   The allegations span from June 2021 until May 2022.   
      
   According to the criminal complaint, the suspects allegedly targeted   
   intoxicated bar-goers in downtown Minneapolis. The group often struck at bar   
   closing times, prosecutors allege, and sometimes used force or intimidation to   
   steal the phone.   
      
   At other times, the suspects would allegedly approach victims in a friendly   
   manner and ask to handle the phone in order to connect on social media.   
      
   After gaining access to the phone, the suspects would transfer money using   
   mobile payment services such as Venmo, Zelle or Coinbase.   
      
   "Through months of dedicated work by law enforcement, it was determined that   
   the defendants would funnel phones to Mr. Su, nicknamed 'the iPhone Man,' who   
   would sell the phones stolen through this scheme to people or institutions   
   locally and in China," a    
   news release from Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman stated.   
      
   Prosecutors allege nearly 50 shipments of phones were sent to Hong Kong, while   
   another 30 shipments were sent to a Minneapolis restaurant were Su works.   
      
   The thefts and robberies have resulted in losses estimated to be over   
   $300,000, according to court documents. That includes nearly $160,000 in cash,   
   85,000 in cryptocurrency and $25,000 in the value of the stolen phones.   
   Another $32,000 was attempted to    
   be stolen.   
      
   If convicted, each suspect could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine that   
   is three times greater than the value gained during the operation.   
      
   https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/12-charged-with-racket   
   ering-over-downtown-minneapolis-cellphone-theft-crime-ring   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)