Maplewood police looking for A.L. man in robbery

Published 12:01 pm Monday, January 11, 2016

The Maplewood Police Department is looking for an Albert Lea man in connection with a home invasion earlier this month.

A nationwide warrant has been issued for Kenwone Darrion Pruitt, 20, of Albert Lea.

Kenwone Darrion Pruitt

Kenwone Darrion Pruitt

Pruitt is described by Maplewood police as 5 feet 11 inches tall and 173 pounds with short black hair and brown eyes.

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A warrant was issued for Pruitt’s arrest Friday.

Pruitt is described as dangerous.

The Police Department advised anyone with information on Pruitt’s location to call 911.

Police are attempting to get information of where Pruitt is and other details, including whether he is with someone.

Police said Pruitt was on probation in Freeborn County at the time of the home invasion.

According to Ramsey County District Court documents, Pruitt faces charges of kidnapping, burglary and two counts of aggravated robbery after allegedly participating in the robbery of a 75-year-old resident of Maplewood’s Carefree Cottages Jan. 2.

The woman was reportedly confronted at her door by another woman holding a handgun. That woman reportedly forced her way inside and called two male accomplices, one of whom choked the resident until she was unconscious, investigators said. The resident reportedly awoke to find her driver’s license, Social Security card and credit cards missing.

According to court documents, police arrested Shonice Lacyra Harmon, 23, of Minneapolis and Deandre Vershaun Wims, 25, of North St. Paul, on the belief that Harmon was the woman who came to the resident’s door, and Wims participated in the robbery.

Wims was charged earlier last week with credit card fraud, kidnapping, burglary and aggravated robbery.

According to the complaint, police were contacted by an acquaintance of Harmon’s who said Harmon called her, needing a ride to a bus station to “get out of town.” She said she’d done something “bad,” and it was “all over the news.”

After her arrest, Harmon reportedly confessed to her role in the robbery to police, the complaint said.

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, charges were filed Friday in Ramsey County District Court against Harmon and the other man they believe was involved in the robbery.

Harmon told police Wims tried to choke the resident with an article of clothing, and when that didn’t work, Pruitt used his arm to apply a chokehold. After the woman passed out, Pruitt dropped the woman and she hit her head on a table, the complaint said.

The alleged victim was reported to be in good condition Friday.

Pruitt was not in custody Friday, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Both Harmon and Wims were in the Ramsey County jail Thursday evening, with bail for both set at $500,000.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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