Teen Charged After Robberies, Carjacking In Woodbury: Prosecutor

WOODBURY, MN — A 17-year-old from Olmsted County is facing a slew of charges connected to a 45-minute crime spree several weeks ago in Woodbury, according to Washington County Attorney Pete Orput.

Tayvein Sophun Pttachan Tep was charged with aggravated robbery, second-degree assault and theft of a motor vehicle, Orput said Tuesday. Officials have issued an arrest warrant for Tep. who is currently being held in jail in another county.

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Tep was arrested shortly after a string of crimes that occurred between 8:15 p.m. and 9 p.m. Nov. 8, Orput said.

Three people armed with handguns "forcefully" stole a blue Jaguar sedan from the parking lot of Target that night, while a Honda Accord was stolen after its owner left it running outside a store, police have said.

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Woodbury police are also investigating an armed robbery near Chick-fil-A, in which three people stole a purse and phone, police said.

Tep is facing charges related to all three incidents, Orput said.

“Unfortunately, these robbery and motor vehicle theft cases are occurring too often in Washington County. Law enforcement and prosecutors in my office are coordinating to swiftly investigate and charge these cases,” which are “very frightening to the victims and community,” Orput said in a release.