Rochester man assaulted over vape pens; three arrested

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester man was assaulted by three teenagers during a would-be vape sale Wednesday morning.

Kelvin Cooper, 18, and two juvenile boys — a Rochester 15-year-old and a St. Charles 17-year-old — face charges of 1st-degree robbery, Capt. Casey Moilanen with the Rochester police department said.

At about 12:12 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, a police officer reportedly saw the victim, a white man, sprinting down East Center Street near 6th Avenue.

The man got into his car and pulled out of his parking spot quickly, committing several traffic violations while in view of the police officer.

When the officer pulled him over, the man was bleeding from his face, with his clothing also covered in blood.

He told the officer he had just escaped a mugging, and had committed the traffic violations to get the officer’s attention so he could report the robbery.

The victim told the officer he went to meet an acquaintance at an apartment building in the 700 block of Civic Center Drive to sell some vape pens.

When he arrived, he met with Cooper and the juveniles, who indicated they would not pay him for the vape pens.

The victim started to walk away, then the group reportedly said they would send him payment electronically if he opened Cash App on his phone.
When the man did, he told the officer, the three assaulted him, punching and kicking him until he managed to escape and run to his car, where the officer encountered him.

The victim was assessed by Mayo Clinic Ambulance, who ascertained that he had chipped teeth and signs of a concussion. He was eventually convinced to seek medical attention for the probable concussion.

Rochester police made contact with the homeowner of the building on Civic Center Drive and found all three suspects in an apartment.

Police claim the three showed evidence of committing an assault — wounds to their hands and knuckles, as well as blood on their clothing.

Police also allege that the three had the stolen vape pens on their persons.

Cooper was transported to the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center, where he awaits arraignment.

The two juveniles were taken to the Dakota County Juvenile Detention Center, according to police.