Alleged Serial Robber Charged In Gas Station Burglary

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A man arrested this week in connection with a Minneapolis gas station robbery is believed to also be responsible for robberies earlier this week in West St. Paul and Mendota Heights, authorities said Friday.

Minneapolis Police responded to a robbery alarm just before 4 a.m. Monday at the Super America gas station on the 6000 block of Portland Avenue. As officers were responding, they learned that there had been a robbery and the suspect had left the scene.

An investigation showed that the suspect entered the gas station and demanded money while implying that he had a weapon, according to police. He left the gas station with money and nobody was injured.

The man was later identified as 43-year-old Scott Allen Swanlaw. He is also believed to be responsible for robberies on Monday in West St. Paul and Mendota Heights as well as several incidents in Oregon. Swanlaw led police on a 40-mile chase on Monday after the robberies in the east metro before he abandoned his vehicle and got away.

Swanlaw was arrested at his home on Tuesday at his home and has been charged with simple robbery. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.