MAPLEWOOD, Minn. - The woman accused of setting off a violent home invasion and robbery of a 75-year-old woman is now behind bars.
Maplewood Police say they've arrested a 23-year-old Minneapolis woman for her role in the Jan. 2 robbery, where the victim was tied up and strangled.
The suspect was arrested without incident during a traffic stop on Wednesday night. According to the police report, she was the one who first made contact with the victim, asked to use her phone and when she refused, pointed a gun in the woman's face.
The arrest is the second in connection with the robbery -- a 25-year-old man was arrested Tuesday morning on credit card fraud charges.
Authorities charged Deandre Vershawn Wims, of north St. Paul, on a separate incident where he was accused of using stolen credit cards at a number of local retail locations. On Thursday, the Ramsey County Attorney's Office charged Wims with two counts of aggravated robbery, and one count each of kidnapping and burglary in connection with the home invasion.
Officers are actively seeking information about the third suspect's whereabouts but say they do know his identity.
According to police, officers were called to a home around 1 p.m. on the 1700 block of Gervais Avenue on a report of a robbery. When they arrived, they spoke with the 75-year-old victim who said a woman rang her doorbell and asked to use her phone.
The victim told the woman she was just about to leave and refused to allow her into her home. That's when the woman pulled out a gun, pointed it at the victim and pushed her way in, according to the police report.
Once inside the home, the suspect made a call from her cell phone and minutes later, two men came into the home. One of the men bound the victim's hands while the others ransacked the home, taking jewelry, credit cards, keys and the victim's driver's license.
Before the three suspects left, one of the men ordered the victim to get on the floor then wrapped a piece of clothing around her neck and strangled her until she lost consciousness. When the victim came to, she went to a neighbor's home and called police.
Anyone with information in this case is asked to call 651-767-0640 or 911. Anonymous text message tips can be sent by texting the word "Maplewood" and the tip to TIP411 (847411).
