Complainant is Maple Grove Police Department Detective Jon Bueckers. Complainant states that on May 11, 2025, at approximately 1338 hours, officers responded to a residence in the area of 68th Place in the city of Maple Grove, Hennepin County, Minnesota, upon the request of the Maple Grove Fire Department due to a person burning yard waste during a statewide burning ban that was in effect. The Minnesota DNR issued a burn ban on May 11, 2025, at 11:00am. At 1:38pm, a neighbor called 911 and advised their neighbor is burning brush.
Upon arrival, officers observed there were two males by a fire that was smoking with a lot of branches and sticks nearby. When the two males observed law enforcement, they grabbed a house hose and started attempting to put the fire out. One of the males was identified as ALBERT MENDEZ [DOB REDACTED], and was the homeowner. Law enforcement was unable to issue a citation due to the city ordinance not working with their ticket-writer.
