Carjacking with 2 children inside vehicle stuns St. Paul man

St. Paul police said a brutal attack Saturday afternoon in Frogtown could have turned out much worse after assailants stole a car that still had two young children inside it.

Investigators said a man who lives on the corner of Virginia Avenue and Sherburne Street was putting his children inside his van when a group of teenagers assaulted him, took his wallet and keys and then drove away in the van with an 8-year-old boy and his 1-year-old sister inside.

The man, who wishes to go only by Alex, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the attack "happened very quickly" and he is very happy his two children are doing fine and seven juveniles have now been arrested in connection with the assault.

"I just remember getting the kids in the van and all of a sudden one guy clotheslined me across my throat," Alex said. "I went down and several people were then kicking and punching me and stole my wallet and keys and then drove off with my kids inside."

Alex said one of the attackers, who was driving the van, stopped at the intersection and hopped into another car and sped off with several other suspects where they were eventually apprehended at a nearby Target Store.

"The assault was traumatic, but nothing compared to seeing the van drive off with my kids inside," Alex said.  "I am very grateful to St. Paul police for their quick response."

St. Paul police said all seven suspects arrested are between the ages of 15 and 16 years old.