A Minneapolis police officer has been charged in federal court in the armed robbery of an Apple Valley bank, and police say he is likely the masked gunman in at least four other robberies across the southern suburbs.
The officer, a member of the police department's highly trained SWAT team, is suspected of carrying out the armed bank, store and street robberies in a ski mask shortly after working his overnight police shift.
Local law enforcement officials said the charges against Timothy E. Carson, 28, of Rosemount, cast a shadow on a profession that works hard to protect citizens.
"This is a very, very shocking case," Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan said. "It does tarnish the badge."
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