Minneapolis police arrest 'dozens' in Dinkytown night of Fourth of July

MPD announces July 4th fireworks arrests

Illegal fireworks created a chaotic night for law enforcement throughout Minneapolis on the Fourth of July. FOX 9’s Rob Olson outlines MPD’s efforts to keep the city under control.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Minneapolis police say "dozens" of people were arrested in Dinkytown after fireworks were thrown at people and launched at properties during the night of Fourth of July.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said in a press conference Friday that a total of 30 arrests were made, along with five citations, and that 28 of those people were from outside Minneapolis. He added those numbers are expected to increase as multiple law enforcement organizations were involved in the crackdown.

Police say the suspects include 27 adults and eight minors, all between the ages of 15 and 23. O'Hara said most of the people arrested face riot charges, while those who threw or launched fireworks at people could face assault charges. Many of the suspects appeared to target cars, people and police, O'Hara said.

Minneapolis police said no one was seriously hurt during the incidents on July 4.

Fireworks explodes in roadway in Minneapolis on July 4. Photo courtesy of Minneapolis Police Department. (Supplied)

Here is a rundown of the incidents, according to Minneapolis police:

Around 11:30 p.m., near the 4900 block of Lake Nokomis Parkway, a large group of people were throwing fireworks at cars and each other. Two adults were cited.
Around midnight, a group was firing fireworks at officers near 14th Street and 4th Avenue South. Four men were arrested.
Just after 12:31 a.m., people driving a car were aiming mortar-style fireworks at pedestrians near the 600 block of 12th Avenue Southeast. One adult and two minors were arrested.
Around 1:15 a.m., near 11th Avenue Southeast and 6th Street Southeast, a group were throwing mortar fireworks at officers. Two adults and two minors were arrested.
Just before 1:30 a.m., a group in a car was throwing fireworks out of it at pedestrians near 11th Avenue Southeast and 4th Avenue Southeast. Four adults were arrested.
Around 1:40 a.m., a large group was seen shooting fireworks at cars, people and apartment buildings around 12th Avenue Southeast and 6th Avenue Southeast. More than dozen adults were arrested.
At 2 a.m., a group was throwing fireworks at officers, also firing mortar rounds. An 18-year-old man was arrested.
At 3 a.m., a group was seen shooting fireworks at squad cars near Cedar Avenue and West Lake Nokomis Parkway. Two adults were arrested.

"I don’t think I have to tell you that throwing fireworks at people is extremely dangerous," O’Hara said. "It is dangerous to the people and police officers who were targeted, and it’s dangerous to the people committing these crimes."

Law enforcement officials outlined their fireworks safety plan on July 3 after previous years saw similar chaos in Minneapolis on the Fourth of July.

Mpls police chief on Fourth of July arrests [RAW]

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara provided an update after "dozens" were arrested in Dinkytown on the Fourth of July after shooting fireworks at people.