Brooklyn Park police to form task force after 2nd home invasion, sexual assault in 1 week
Police in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, say they are forming a task force after the second incident in a week in which a man entered a home and sexually assaulted a woman at gunpoint.
According to police, officers responded to the 7500 block of Jersey Avenue North at approximately 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. Officers learned that suspect entered through an unlocked door and allegedly assaulted the woman an hour earlier. He had fled the scene before police arrived.
Brooklyn Park Chief Mark Bruley said officers have been working on the case all day and as of Wednesday afternoon were canvassing 40 blocks and going door-to-door to look for information. Bruley said his team had identified a person of interest, but are still looking exhaust all their leads.
"Even though that we have that person of interest, I am strongly encouraging the city of Brooklyn Park, our community, to come together," Bruley said. "Individuals like this cannot thrive in our community without somebody having known who they are or what they're up to."
Last week, Brooklyn Park police said a man broke into a home on the 7600 block of Hampshire Avenue North — blocks away from Wednesday morning's incident — and sexually assaulted a woman.
The woman told WCCO that she woke up just before 5 a.m. to see a man standing in her bedroom with a gun. She said he tied her mouth and hands and demanded money before assaulting her.
Police have not said if the two incidents are connected.
Authorities say they are asking the public to secure all doors and windows and check security cameras for any evidence of people lurking near homes in the last week.
This story will be updated.
Note: The above video first aired on July 17, 2026.
Sexual Assault Resources
- (SOS – Ramsey County)
- Sexual Violence Center (SVC – Hennepin County)
- Aurora Center (U of MN)
- 360 Communities (Dakota County)
- Hope Center (Rice County)
- Canvas Health (Washington County)
- Alexandra House (Anoka County)
General Sites for information related to sexual assault and resources throughout Minnesota:
General Sexual Assault Websites:
