If you can get past the headline in this Minneapolis Star Tribune article, there is a fascinating story underneath,
As Operation Metro Surge recedes, concern grows over tactics of Twin Cities bounty hunters.
The ICE angle has nothing at all to do with the story, which is about bounty hunters, which do not require a license to operate in the state of Minnesota, as it turns out.
I frequently research Minnesota criminals, a large share of whom routinely skip scheduled court hearings. It’s generally the case that, despite active arrest warrants, these crooks remain at large until arrested for their next crime. Skipping a court hearing never seems to generate any consequences for the absconders.
The Star Tribune reports,
In early 2025, there were more than 20,000 active warrants in Hennepin County.
Think about it, just clearing the backlog in the state’s largest county would require arresting 55 defendants per day, more than two every hour.
Bounty hunters have a cash incentive to go after those subject to arrest warrants who are skipping on large bonds. The Star Tribune reports on efforts to capture one,
defendant Abdulahi Mohamed Omar because he failed to appear in court after getting out of jail on a $110,000 bond. One of the bounty hunters holds up a booking photo of Omar posted to the Instagram page “MinneapolisMugshots” at Lang’s request.
Omar is currently wanted in Hennepin County District Court for missing court dates over several charges, including drug possession, fleeing police, domestic assault, threats of violence and motor vehicle theft. The 27-year-old twice posted bail last November, once for $35,000 and once for $75,000. He was released with several conditions, including that he return for court appearances.
Alas, Omar is reported to be still at large.
