Uptown Crime Wave Continues - Rape This Time

Rambix has documented over the past several months the ongoing "spike", epidemic, avalanche of crime in Minneapolis, particularly in the Uptown area. Now we learn (if we look hard enough to find the 3" column on page B2 in the Red Star Metro section) of a stranger rape at knifepoint in Uptown. The article doesn't mention the time it occurred, but it does place the crime in a highly traveled area. We're curious if this occurred in prime time hours, since we've been documenting that trend. There is a paucity of detail in the Strib article.

Fortunately in this case, the criminal appears to have been caught rather quickly. The criminal is identified as Richard Thompson. Rambix would like to know: (1) If Mr. Thompson is from out of state, (2) The time of the crime, and (3) If Mr. Thompson has a criminal history (you think?), and if he had been given marshmallow sentences in the past.

The WCCO website give substantially more detail than the Red Star. We still don't get answers to the above questions, but the story is fleshed out in more detail. We learn that the piece of garbage followed the woman off a bus:

"The victim told police the suspect moved from his seat to sit next to her after she got on the bus. She said he followed her off the bus and attempted to engage her in conversation as she walked westbound on Lagoon Avenue.The victim said the suspect grabbed her, kissed her and held out a knife that was similar to a steak knife, according to court papers. The suspect allegedly pulled her over to a grassy area in the vicinity of Lagoon and Knox Avenue South, pushed her down and sexually assaulted her."

Here's some of Mr. Thompson's criminal history, from "http://www.mncriminals.com". It's likely not a complete record:

Conviction Number: 001
Case Number: 99015348
Court File Number:
Disposition Date: 07/01/1999
Controlling Agency: Bloomington Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency:
Assigned Probation Agency:
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: DWI-Alcohol
Statute Number: 169.121.1.A
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $700
Stayed Fine: $650
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $25
Pronounced Sentence: 30 Days
Probation Sentence: 2 Years
Conditional Confinement:
Conviction Level: Misdemeanor

Memo to boy-Mayor Ryback: Aren't you listening? Clean up your city!