Ellison warns Merwin Liquors, Winner Gas of possible lawsuit

Minnesota’s top prosecutor has warned two north Minneapolis businesses at the center of a crime hotspot that they may be sued if illegal activity on their properties doesn’t stop.

Last month, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced an investigation into Merwin Liquors and Winner Gas, who are located just off of North Lyndale Avenue between West Broadway and 21st avenues.

Merwin Liqours Vice President Cindy Tapper shared this response:

“We have always actively been looking for a solution. On Sept. 12, we put operations in the hands of We Push for Peace and it has turned into a great success story. We look forward to working with Attorney General Keith Ellison’s Office, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and city leadership to make a difference. The city of Minneapolis has already acknowledged the dramatic effect we have had on our property, saying we ‘flipped a switch.’”

Winner Gas could not be reached for comment.

RELATED: Prosecutors investigate 2 north Minneapolis businesses at center of crime hotspot

Tuesday, Ellison said the investigation determined the properties are the sites of illegal public nuisances, as well as violence and drug activity.

Ellison’s office says it found 14 instances of shots fired, people injured, guns found or drug activity at Merwin Liquors and 22 at Winner Gas this year alone. The businesses were also where at least three shootings happened just last month.

Despite the findings, the attorney general’s office says no complaint for relief against the businesses has been filed yet. Instead, they gave the businesses notice that a complaint will be filed in 30 days if they don’t stop the unlawful activity on their property or reach an agreement with the city, county or attorney general’s office.

“Creating safe communities means using all the civil and criminal tools of the law to keep people safe from violence, and it means creating stable housing, good schools, healthy environments, and a fair economy where everyone can get ahead. And it takes all of us working together to make that happen,” Ellison said in a statement. “I’m thankful for the partnership with Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, and all the community members who’ve stepped up to help us correct dangerous conditions at these establishments. I look forward to working constructively with these businesses as they abate these conditions so neighbors can thrive and feel safe wherever they go, as everyone in every neighborhood has a right to.”