Video of Alleged Bounty Hunters Detaining Resident Prompts Minneapolis Investigation
A video showing armed men identifying themselves as bounty hunters while detaining a Minneapolis resident has prompted an investigation by local authorities. Officials say it remains unclear whether the incident was connected to immigration enforcement operations occurring across Minnesota.
Despite national news moving on from Minnesota following the apparent conclusion of Metro Surge, many residents remain on edge as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations continue both in the Twin Cities and across greater Minnesota. The latest concern stems from reports that alleged “bounty hunters” were seen detaining a resident last week, an incident that has now prompted a city-led investigation.
On March 3, observers filmed what appeared to be multiple armed men removing a resident from his home near 28th Street and Oakland Avenue and loading him into a van marked “Midwest Plumbing.” The business name appears to be fictitious; the phone number associated with it has been disconnected.
In the video, the men identify themselves as “bounty hunters,” insisting they were “not ICE.” They also reportedly threatened bystanders, at one point pulling a pistol on observers who were recording the incident.
While there have been reports in several states of ICE contracting with bounty hunters, it remains unclear whether the March 3 incident was connected to an ICE operation.
The Minnesota Spokesman Recorder contacted the Minneapolis Police Department for comment. Sgt. Garret Parten said that around 9:40 a.m., “Midwest Bail Bonds notified 911 dispatch that they would be operating in the area of 3500 Park Ave.” Sgt. Parten confirmed that the Minneapolis Police Department was not involved in the arrest.
Although the term “bounty hunter” may sound unusual, the practice is relatively common in the bail bond system. Bail bond agencies often employ fugitive recovery agents, commonly referred to as bounty hunters, to locate and arrest defendants who fail to appear in court.
“Minnesota does not mandate bounty hunter training or licensing, but they must operate within state laws, especially those related to bond agents,” said Brian S. Feintech, Communications and Media Relations for the City of Minneapolis. Feintech described the video as “concerning” and confirmed that the incident is currently under investigation by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
He also noted that some bounty hunters operating in Minneapolis call 911 to notify authorities when they are working in a particular area, though this notification is a courtesy rather than a legal requirement.
The Minnesota Spokesman Recorder attempted to locate a company named “Midwest Bail Bonds,” but no business with that exact name appears in Minnesota business records or on the state’s list of approved bail bond companies.
When contacted, a representative of Midwest Bonding, the closest name match, said he was aware of the incident but declined to comment. “With everything going on, we are just going to refuse to comment,” he said. The representative also declined to confirm whether the company was the bail bond agency operating out of 3500 Park Ave. on Tuesday.
Izzy Canizares is a freelance reporter and contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.