Five men were arrested in Woodbury on Wednesday in a staged undercover operation targeting people who solicit children for sex.

Arrested were Kyle Bracken, 40, of Minneapolis; Kao Chang, 40, of St. Paul; Gary Infante, 34, of Andover; Mark Kislowski, 48, of Ballston Lake, N.Y.; and Mark Priorier, 47 of Colfax, Wis.

During the investigation, communications with the men indicated each planned to engage in sex acts with a minor and arranged a meeting location, according to authorities.

“These individuals preyed upon children, knew they were children and carried out their intention to violate their innocence,” Woodbury Police Chief Lee Vague said in a statement Thursday. “It is our responsibility to hold them accountable.” Related Articles Maplewood police asking for help in fatal pedestrian hit-and-run Saturday night

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Accompanying Woodbury police in the operation were police from Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, St. Paul and Minneapolis, as well as officers from Hennepin and Washington county sheriff’s offices.

Authorities also identified five potential victims, who were connected with advocates and other resources.

Police carried out the operation with support from the Washington County attorney’s office, which established a Major Crimes Unit in 2015 to combat sexual exploitation and abuse.

“Our collective efforts continue to allow us to vigorously target and prosecute both the criminals who are exploiting victims and the individuals seeking to engage in these criminal acts,” said Imran Ali, a lawyer with the Major Crimes Unit.