Cedar-Riverside—The Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) and CrimeStoppers are offering a $1,000 reward in February for information regarding the June 18, 2008 murder of Joseph Sodd III in Cedar-Riverside.

Sodd, who grew up in the Cooper neighborhood and attended Marcy Open School and South High School, was home from college for the summer and out riding home on his moped when he was stopped and stabbed during an apparent robbery at around 2 a.m. Marcy Open School’s March production of West Side Story is being dedicated to Sodd (see page 2).

The crime occurred on 19th Avenue South between South Sixth and Seventh streets — a non-through-traffic block of parking and paved sidewalk lined with townhouses and apartments.

While the MPD says the motive for the murder is unclear at this time, the release announcing the reward states that “Homicide investigators have put in hundreds of hours on this case and have developed many leads.” Investigators are asking members of the community with information about this case — no matter how small or insignificant — to come forward and talk with investigators.

Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or Minneapolis police at 612-692-TIPS.

Asked why police waited until eight months after the crime to offer a reward, MPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Jesse Garcia said the department has recently restarted its relationship with CrimeStoppers.

last revised: February 27, 2009

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