Three juveniles charged in two armed robberies

Three juveniles were charged by petition in two early morning armed robberies, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.

Damonie Adams, 17, of St. Paul was charged with first-degree robbery in the first January 16 case and Demod Mcgruder, 16 of St. Paul was charged with first-degree robbery in a second case. He also was charged with possession of a pistol while under age 18. Javon Wilson-Branch, 17, of Minneapolis was charged with first-degree robbery in the second case and attempting to flee a police officer in a motor vehicle.

According to the juvenile petitions, at about 3:45 a.m. they drove to the area of 2600 Pillsbury Avenue South and saw a man sitting in his car. Adams pointed a gun at him and told him to open the car door. When he refused, Adams handed the gun to one of his companions, who told the man to open the car door or he would shoot him.

The man complied, they shoved him to the ground and took his wallet, a backpack and $200 in cash, the petition states. The victim saw them get into a vehicle and drive south.

About 10 minutes later, another man was getting out of his car with his son in the 3500 block of Stevens Avenue South when he saw a black Audi Sport Utility Vehicle driving in a zig-zag pattern down the street towards him. They stopped by the victim, and Mcgruder and Wilson-Branch pointed pistols at him and took the cell phone from his hand, according to the petition. As they drove away, the victim got most of the license number.

Minutes later, police saw the SUV at the gas pumps at the BP station at 46th Street and Nicollet Avenue South and attempted to box it in. Wilson-Branch, who was driving the Audi, accelerated forward and tried to swerve around a squad car, the petition states. Instead, he ran into concrete barrier and four people started to run. They were quickly captured.

A handgun was found next to Mcgruder, according to the petition. The Audi was reported carjacked in St. Paul about 3:25 a.m. and that case is still under investigation. Charges against the fourth juvenile have been deferred pending further investigation. Prosecutors are seeking to have McGruder, Adams and Wilson-Branch certified as adults.

View the Adams petition (PDF).

View the McGruder petition (PDF).

View the Wilson-Brand petition (PDF).