Keith Earl Chambers Jr., 31, was charged with simple robbery in Hennepin County District Court on October 29 in connection with an October 27 encounter in Minneapolis. The criminal complaint, as described by MN CRIME, alleges Chambers took a man's keys and threatened him.
The complaint says Minneapolis police were dispatched to the 2700 block of Russell Avenue North on October 27 after a report of a person in crisis with a firearm. Dispatchers described a possible robbery in progress, but officers did not find a suspect at the scene, according to the complaint as reported by MN Crime.
The man told officers that Chambers took his keys and pointed a gun at him, according to the complaint. Surveillance footage partly captured the encounter in the man's yard, where he was with a small dog when Chambers allegedly entered the property. The complaint says the man appeared very afraid, as reported by the outlet.
What the Complaint Alleges
According to the complaint, Chambers followed the man toward the front door as he tried to walk away, holding his waistband. Chambers allegedly demanded the man's phone and threatened to kill him unless he went inside the house. He also allegedly said he would take the dog.
The footage reportedly did not show a gun. Chambers later denied that a gun was involved, according to the complaint as described by the outlet.
The Next-Day Call
The complaint says Chambers called 911 on October 28 from the 2900 block of Dupont Avenue North. He reportedly told dispatchers he had blacked out, taken the man's keys and thrown them into an abandoned building. Officers arrested him at that location.
During a jail interview described in the complaint, Chambers admitted taking the keys and threatening to rob the man, but denied that a gun was involved. The man's earlier account to police differed on whether a gun was used.
What Minnesota Law Says About Robbery
Chambers was charged with simple robbery under Minnesota law. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 609.24, robbery generally involves taking personal property from a person, or in that person's presence, while using or threatening the imminent use of force to overcome resistance or compel the person to give it up. The statute sets a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment, a fine of up to $20,000, or both, though that general language does not reflect any determination about the sentencing exposure in this specific case.
Robbery Reports in Hennepin County
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's 2024 Uniform Crime Report lists 2,021 reported robberies in Hennepin County in 2024, up 3.48% from 1,953 in 2023. Statewide, reported robberies rose 1.61%, from 2,791 in 2023 to 2,836 in 2024. The county figures are not Minneapolis-only, and these totals provide broader context rather than information about the allegations in this case.
How to Find Scheduled Hearings
The Minnesota Judicial Branch's Hearing Search lets the public look for scheduled hearings by a person's name, case number, judicial officer or attorney.
The current status of the proceedings against Chambers was not available at publication. The Minnesota Judicial Branch's Hearing Search tool provides information on hearings scheduled in Minnesota court cases.
