At 9:22 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, Eden Prairie Police responded to a report of an aggravated robbery (carjacking) in the parking lot of Tower Square shopping center at the northeast corner of Flying Cloud Drive and Prairie Center Drive.

The victim, an adult male from Eden Prairie, reported he was loading groceries into his vehicle when he was approached by two individuals who demanded his key fob – one of the individuals reportedly displayed a weapon. The victim complied with their request, and the two individuals left in his vehicle, which was later recovered in Minneapolis. The victim was not physically injured.

Because this is an active investigation, no further details are available at this time; however, Eden Prairie Police recommend the community remain vigilant about carjacking and other crimes of opportunity, with the following safety tips in mind.

What Carjackers Look For

• Intersections controlled by stop lights or signs
• Garages and parking lots
• Self-serve gas stations and car washes
• ATMs
• Residential driveways and streets as people get into and out of cars
• Highway exit and entry ramps, or anyplace else that drivers slow down or stop

The "Bump and Rob"

A car, usually with a driver and at least one passenger, rear-ends or "bumps" you in traffic. You quickly get out to check the damage and exchange information. Either the driver or one of the passengers jumps in your car and drives off.

• If you're bumped by another car, look around before you get out
• Make sure there are other cars around, check out the car that rear-ended you and who's in it; if the situation makes you uneasy, memorize or jot down the car's tag number and description; signal the other car to follow you and drive to the nearest police station or to a busy, well-lighted area
• If you do get out of the car, take your keys, purse or wallet and phone with you and stay alert

Reduce Your Risk of Becoming a Victim

Getting in Your Vehicle

• Walk with purpose and stay alert
• Approach your car with key in hand; look around and inside the car before getting in
• Be wary of people asking for directions or handing out fliers
• Trust your instincts — if something makes you feel uneasy, get into the car quickly, lock the doors and drive away

On the Road

• Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up — at least part-way — no matter how short the distance or how safe the neighborhood
• When you're coming to a stop, leave enough room to maneuver around other cars, especially if you sense trouble and need to get away
• Don't stop to assist a stranger whose car is broken down; instead call police to help

Getting Out of Your Vehicle

• Park in well-lit areas, near sidewalks or walkways, and avoid parking near dumpsters, wooded areas, large vans or trucks, or anything that limits your visibility
• Never leave valuables in plain view, even if the car is locked; put them in the trunk or out of sight before you arrive at your destination
• Even if you're rushed, look around before you get out and stay alert to your surroundings

If it Happens to You

• If the carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, give up your car and belongings and don't argue, your life is worth more than a car
• Get away from the area as quickly as possible
• Try to remember what the carjacker looked like — gender, race, age, hair and eye color, special features, clothes
• Report the crime immediately to the police

Statistically your chances of being a carjacking victim are very slim; however, preventive actions can reduce the risk even more. You can also help prevent these types of crime by calling 911 to report suspicious activity immediately.

As always, the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund offers reward money to anyone providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who commit crimes in our community. If you have information about this incident, call 952-949-6200 to speak with an investigator.