A 23-year-old Brooklyn Park man and an accomplice robbed a man at gunpoint during a planned iPhone sale in the city, taking his phone, $2,800 in cash and his vehicle, according to charges.
Prince Blessing Gayekpar, 23, faces charges of aiding and abetting first-degree aggravated robbery and aiding and abetting first-degree carjacking.
According to the criminal complaint, Brooklyn Park police responded to a report of a robbery with a firearm on August 11, 2026. Officers met with the victim, who reported arranging to meet a person he knew as Tay to purchase an iPhone. The meeting took place in Brooklyn Park.
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When the victim arrived, Tay remained in the vehicle while another individual exited and pointed what appeared to be a firearm at the victim’s chest. At the same time, Tay, still seated in the vehicle, also pointed what appeared to be a firearm at the victim. The complaint states that both individuals took the victim’s iPhone, $2,800 in cash and his vehicle without permission.
After taking the victim’s belongings, Tay and the other individual drove away, one in the vehicle they arrived in and the other in the victim’s vehicle. The victim later participated in a photo lineup and identified both people who had pointed firearms at him and taken his property. The complaint identifies Prince Blessing Gayekpar and another individual as the two people involved in the robbery and carjacking.
Court records show that Gayekpar is charged with aiding and abetting first-degree aggravated robbery for taking property from the victim by force or threat while using what appeared to be a firearm. He is also charged with aiding and abetting first-degree carjacking for taking the victim’s vehicle during the armed robbery. The charges were filed August 28 in Hennepin County District Court. A court date has not yet been set.
About This Charge
Minnesota distinguishes simple robbery (§ 609.24, up to 10 years) from aggravated robbery (§ 609.245), where a dangerous weapon or bodily harm is alleged. First-degree aggravated robbery carries up to 20 years; second-degree up to 15. Carjacking is charged under § 609.247.
Related MN CRIME Coverage
3 Assaults and Attempted Robbery Land Minneapolis Man in Jail • 3 Robbery Cases Tied to Minneapolis Man After Latest Armed Holdup • Downtown Minneapolis Carjacking Attempt Thwarted by Bystanders
Jurisdictional Context
Hennepin County is Minnesota’s most populous jurisdiction. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office handles felony prosecutions across Minneapolis and 45 surrounding cities; the Fourth Judicial District presides over felony arraignments and trials at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.
