We heard the rumors too: People are being robbed after leaving the new Target. This morning, our street-smart editor heard from some very low-to-the-ground sources that this may in fact be happening. I gladly(!) made several dozen calls on this. OK. I made three. One to Councilmember Jim Graham‘s cellphone. And two more to two different police officials.

I refused to go to the Target for fear that the big-box store had become way too dangerous even for daring reporters.

Finally a call back! This is what Jason Yuckenberg, public information officer with Graham’s office, had to say:

“We immediately contacted MPD. And there is no confirmed reports of any incidents of people being robbed coming out of Target. At this point this is strictly rumor unless we hear otherwise.”

Buying slotted spoons from Target is now safe.