Hudson city leaders say big crowds of visitors attracting violent crime

In the hours just before 26-year-old, Cain Solheim, was stabbed to death in an alley, Hudson Mayor Rich O’Connor told 5 EYEWITNESS NEW there was an armed robbery in a downtown parking lot.

“We have seen just a huge influx of visitors who are coming here from hours away since Minnesota imposed tighter restrictions on their bars and restaurants,” said O’Connor. “Unfortunately, there is a small number who come to do nefarious things and a guy was pistol-whipped Saturday night after he tried to stop robbers from stealing a purse from a woman the guy was with.”

O’Connor told KSTP, investigators are not sure groups of people are coming to Hudson and targeting people at bar close, but they are looking into it to see if a recent rise in crime is connected to the groups who are traveling across the river to visit Wisconsin which does not have as strict COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants.

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“We don’t know if they’re coming here and targeting people necessarily, but clearly there are groups coming here and possibly looking for opportunity,” said O’Connor. “It’s also taxing to a small city police department like ours, which is doing a great job but not equipped to cover so many crimes happening in a condensed time frame.”

Hudson Police Chief Geoff Willems said his department has seen a definite rise in criminal activity the past few weeks and some of it is more violent than usual.

“It’s more robberies, it’s more brandishing a weapon in a threatening manner and disorderly conduct,” Willems said. “It is also just a complete disregard for human safety and the aesthetics of our community.”

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with Solheim’s death, and two other suspects are still being sought.