A Coon Rapids woman allegedly lifted her sweatshirt to show a thrift store clerk a handgun tucked in her waistband and told the clerk to lead her to the cash register. The clerk described a man; the complaint says a zoomed-in surveillance photo showed the suspect was a woman.

Kelly Jo Walker, 34, of Coon Rapids, faces a charge of attempted first-degree aggravated robbery. The charge alleges Walker tried to rob the store by threatening the clerk with a handgun.

The attempted robbery happened on August 23, 2026, at the Savers store in Coon Rapids, Anoka County. The clerk told officers a white male had approached her at the register and whispered something she could not hear. When the two got closer, the suspect displayed the handgun and told her to lead the way to the cash register, the complaint states.

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After the attempted robbery, officers contacted loss prevention staff, who pulled a detailed photograph of the suspect from several store cameras. According to court records, officers initially believed the suspect was male based on the clerk’s description, but after zooming in on the photograph, they determined the suspect was female. Investigators identified the woman in the photograph as Kelly Jo Walker.

Officers searched the area for Walker but were unable to locate her. The complaint notes that her current whereabouts are unknown. A judge signed a warrant for Walker’s arrest and ordered that she be held without bail until she appears in court.

The charge was filed Monday, August 24, in Anoka County District Court.

About This Charge

Minnesota distinguishes simple robbery (§ 609.24, up to 10 years) from aggravated robbery (§ 609.245), where a weapon or bodily harm is alleged. First-degree aggravated robbery carries up to 20 years; second-degree up to 15. Because Walker is charged with an attempt, the maximum is half that: up to 10 years. Carjacking is charged under § 609.247.

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Jurisdictional Context

Anoka County, north of the Twin Cities, is served by the Anoka County Attorney’s Office through the Tenth Judicial District. The Anoka County Courthouse in Anoka hears felony matters; the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office operates the Anoka County Jail.