Fewer Carjackings in Minnesota: What Changed?

During 2021 and 2022, Minnesota was seeing an alarming number of carjackings, so much so that state lawmakers made changes to laws to try and get the crime spree under control. The rise in incidents made national headlines and left many residents feeling uneasy about safety in their own neighborhoods.

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Minnesota’s Carjacking Crisis Peaks

Carjacking incidents in the state peaked in 2021, with over 780 reported cases, according to the BCA. In 2022, the state had around 600 incidents, leaving lawmakers and law enforcement officials scrambling to get a handle on the problem. Communities, particularly in the Twin Cities, were looking for answers as victims continued to pile up.

In 2023, new carjacking legislation passed, which included stiffer penalties for offenders and redefined carjacking as a felony. Several law enforcement agencies also launched dedicated carjacking and auto theft units within police departments, focusing more resources directly on the problem.

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Stronger Laws + Community Efforts Pay Off

These efforts from officials, along with hard work from various community groups, have helped bring the numbers down a shocking amount. In 2024, there were 379 incidents, a sizable drop from previous years.

The dramatic shift can be seen by comparing January through April 2022 to the same time in 2025. During the first four months of 2022, there were 172 carjackings. In 2025, that number fell to just 79, marking a 54 percent decline.

The Twin Cities Remain the Focus

The vast majority of carjackings in Minnesota take place in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Both cities have made progress, but critics argue Hennepin County has “failed to utilize the powerful tools at their disposal.” Even so, the trend statewide shows encouraging signs of improvement.