Man Charged After Alleged BB Gun Robbery Near Edina McDonald’s

Nov 8

A 22-year-old Edina man is charged after police say he pointed a fake gun at a woman, demanded money, and hit her in the face before running from officers.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called on Nov. 5 to the McDonald’s on Southdale Circle after reports that a man had pointed a firearm at a woman and demanded her money.

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Officers arrived to find the victim sitting in the grass crying with a large bump near her left eye. She told officers she had been waiting for a bus to go to Cub Foods when a man ran up, pointed a gun at her stomach and said, “give me your money, b****.” When she told him she didn’t have any, he pushed her to the ground, struck her in the face with the weapon, and kicked her in the back before running north on York Avenue.

Officers found the suspect, identified as Steve Avila, nearby and chased him on foot after he refused their commands. He was arrested, and officers found the slide of a BB gun in his pocket. A friend told investigators that Avila had taken an airsoft pistol from his house earlier that day and threw it into some bushes when police arrived. A Bloomington police dog later located the replica gun in that exact area.

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Police also reviewed surveillance footage showing Avila handling what appeared to be a firearm. During a recorded interview, Avila said he didn’t realize the victim was a woman and told officers, “now I feel bad. I’m going to hell bro, f***.” He claimed the act was a dare and said he was intoxicated, rating himself “a 7 out of 10.” He told police, “it was just for fun, like things seen on YouTube,” and said he was out celebrating his birthday.

Avila is charged with five counts, including first-degree aggravated robbery, threats of violence, fifth-degree assault, and fleeing police on foot. The aggravated robbery charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a mandatory minimum of one year and one day if convicted.

He remains in custody on $20,000 bail with conditions barring drug or alcohol use, weapon possession, and contact with the victim.

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