Sheriff's office investigating robbery in Columbia Heights; multiple suspects detained

Authorities in Columbia Heights are investigating a robbery that occurred over the weekend.

According to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, dispatchers received a report of a robbery along the 3900 block of Unviersity Avenue NE at about 3:31 p.m. on Sunday.

While walking through a parking lot, a woman and juvenile male victim were approached by a man who stole the woman's purse, authorities said. The suspect then got into a vehicle, which began to leave the area.

The sheriff's office said the victim and juvenile male then saw the suspect vehicle come back in the area and they began to try to follow the suspect vehicle, which then stopped. At that time, one of the occupants of the suspect vehicle displayed a firearm, and two other occupants of the suspect vehicle then got out and stole the victim's vehicle. Both vehicles then left the area.

A short time later, police in Fridley saw both vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed near University Avenue and 81st Avenue. Police followed and multiple suspects then fled from both vehicles along the 8200 block of Hickory Street.

Law enforcement from several agencies searched the area and multiple suspects were detained, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office said early indications are that the original suspect vehicle was also stolen.

More details are expected to be released at a later time.