9 charged in connection to Hennepin County street racing

Nine people have been criminally charged in connection to street racing in Hennepin County.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says it filed nearly 20 charges— including riot, property damage, child endangerment, and reckless driving counts— against the group.

According to the attorney’s office, more charges are expected to be filed at a later time.

Officials add that street racing in Minneapolis and nearby suburbs has caused “tens of thousands of dollars” in damages.

“We will fully prosecute all of these cases. I will also ensure that we pursue all avenues to stop this unlawful activity, including the use of civil asset forfeiture where appropriate to seize the vehicles used in the commission of these offenses,” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said in a statement. “We are advising law enforcement to seize these vehicles. Whether they are spinning out of control in an intersection or blocking the area from traffic and law enforcement, these vehicles may be permanently seized.”