Minneapolis Auto Thefts Jump 35% as Police Cite No‑Pursuit Policy and Staffing Crisis
Minneapolis has recorded more than 1,000 auto thefts in January and February 2026—about a 35% increase over the same period last year in a city of roughly 430,000 people—intensifying pressure on Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey over crime and deterrence. A Minneapolis Police Department spokesperson acknowledged the force remains 'understaffed' after losing around 40% of officers since the 2020 George Floyd fallout and highlighted that MPD does not pursue stolen vehicles, a key difference from neighboring St. Paul, which has seen car thefts fall with more focused enforcement. Chief Brian O’Hara has also blamed Trump’s federal Operation Metro Surge as a 'contributing factor' that pulled officers off normal duties. Retired Minnesota State Patrol Lt. John Nagel, now a Republican congressional candidate, told Fox News Digital that the surge reflects a 'deterrence problem,' accusing Walz and Frey of tolerating a 'revolving door' for repeat offenders, especially juveniles. The spike and policy rift are feeding a broader national argument online over whether local non‑pursuit rules, depleted departments and juvenile‑justice limits are driving surges in property crime in big, Democratic‑run cities.
📌 Key Facts
- More than 1,000 auto thefts were reported in Minneapolis in January–February 2026, roughly a 35% increase from the same period a year earlier.
- Minneapolis Police say the department remains 'understaffed' after losing about 40% of its officers since 2020 and note that MPD policy is not to pursue stolen vehicles.
- Chief Brian O’Hara says Trump’s Operation Metro Surge pulled officers from normal duties and was a 'contributing factor' to rising auto thefts.
- On March 14 alone, Crime Watch Minneapolis logged at least 20 auto thefts between 6 a.m. and late afternoon.
- Retired State Patrol Lt. John Nagel argues the spike is a 'deterrence problem' tied to political leadership and lax consequences for repeat and juvenile offenders.
📊 Relevant Data
From 2010 to 2020, the population of Minneapolis increased by 12.4% to 429,954, with the non-Hispanic White percentage decreasing from 60.3% to 58.1%, while the Black percentage remained around 18-19%, and the foreign-born population reached 14.8% by 2021, driven largely by refugee settlements including a significant Somali community.
Demographics of Minneapolis - Wikipedia — Wikipedia
Statewide in Minnesota in 2024, 15% of cleared motor vehicle theft cases (127 out of 842) involved only juveniles.
2024 BCA Uniform Crime Report — Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Operation Metro Surge, launched by DHS in January 2026, deployed 2,000 agents to Minnesota and resulted in the removal of over 4,000 undocumented immigrants with criminal records by February 2026.
New Milestone in Operation Metro Surge: 4,000+ Criminal Illegals Removed from Minnesota Streets — The White House
In Washington state, rolling back restrictions on police pursuits in 2025 correlated with a significant decrease in vehicle thefts and traffic fatalities.
Washington's rollback on pursuit restrictions leads to fewer thefts, fatalities — KOMO News
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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