UPDATE: Police Arrest Suspect Linked to Two Brooklyn Park Sexual Assaults

This story was updated on July 23 at 9:36 a.m. after it was originally published on July 22 at 4:56 p.m. to include suspect arrest information.  

The Brooklyn Park Police Department announced an arrest of a 25-year-old suspect that police say is responsible for two separate armed home invasions and sexual assaults of women within the last week.

Police announced the arrest of Darius Ahmadd Olson-Baker on Wednesday night. Olson-Baker was taken into custody at approximately 6 p.m. after a Brooklyn Park SWAT team and detectives executed a search warrant at a home in the 7600 block of Hampshire Ave. N. That’s near the homes where the assaults took place, police said. 

At a press conference announcing the arrest, Brooklyn Park police said the suspect’s mother helped coordinate getting him out of the house without further incident.

Before the arrest took place, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley urged the community to keep vigilant and lock their doors.

“I am strongly encouraging the city of Brooklyn Park, our community, to come together — individuals like this cannot thrive in our community without somebody having known who they are or what they’re up to,” Bruley said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference before the arrest. “I’m asking for community members to reach out to each other, to try to gather leads and potential suspects, and call the Brooklyn Park Police Department with that information.”

Investigators believe Olson-Baker is responsible for two sexual assaults — a July 17 armed home invasion and sexual assault, and a Wednesday morning armed sexual assault in the 7500 block of Jersey Avenue North.

In both cases, the doors to the residences were believed to have been left unlocked, police said. 

Police said the suspect had covered his face with a balaclava before assaulting his victims. 

During Wednesday’s press conference, Brooklyn Park police noted how a partnership with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Secret Service led to the arrest.

Bruley said it is uncommon for local, state and federal agencies to team up and activate this rapidly, but did so in this case.

“We will exhaust every possible lead that we can develop,” Bruley said before the arrest.

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley speaks Wednesday afternoon at a news conference alongside other law enforcement

Suspect Background

Olson-Baker is being held in the Hennepin County jail for probable cause criminal sexual conduct, aggravated robbery and burglary. Jail records show he is being held without bail. 

Court records show Olson-Baker has an extensive criminal history, including felony possession of a firearm and fourth-degree assault of a peace officer. He had just been released from prison on a weapons charge on July 7, authorities said.

In one case in 2019, Olson-Baker punched an Anoka County jail deputy in the face while he was serving time, records showed. 

Olson-Baker also has burglary and multiple assault convictions while he was a juvenile.

Community Meeting 

While the suspect was at large, Chief Bruley made a plea for immediate neighborhood solidarity and household security.

“I’m asking for community members to reach out to each other … I’m also urging our community to protect ourselves,” Bruley said. “Lock your doors.”

Brooklyn Park police plan to have a community meeting Thursday, July 23, at 6 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 7217 West Broadway in Brooklyn Park.

The meeting is intended for residents of the Hartkopf and Shingle Creek neighborhoods.

Corey Bork contributed to this report

Related: Crime Roundup: Brooklyn Park Police Seek Man in Home Invasion Assault Case

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