On or about April 25, 2026, at approximately 2:36 A.M., Grand Rapids Police Officer Jeffrey Roerick was dispatch to a fire alarm call at Grand Manor 2, located at 227 SW 13th St in Grand Rapids, Itasca County, Minnesota. Officer Roerick was advised that Dispatch had received a call stating the fire alarm was going off, but the person could not smell any smoke or see any fire. Upon entry into the building, Officer Roerick observed the fire alarm box hanging off the wall only being held off the floor by the wires that were connected.
Officer Roerick also observed the fire alarm box showed an alert for the dining room area. While standing in the vestibule area of the apartment building, Officer Roerick was told by several tenants that John Kirt, later identified as John Michael Kirt [DOB REDACTED], hereafter known as Defendant, was the one who damaged the fire alarm box. However, none of the tenants stated that they observed him do it. Officer Roerick checked the dining and kitchen area for any signs of smoke or fire and did not observe any.
Grand Rapids Fire Department arrived on scene shortly after. GRFD was unable to stop the alarm from sounding. Officer Roerick re-entered the dining area and located a fire pull station that had been activated. GRFD reset the fire pull station but were unable to reset the fire alarm system due to the extensive damage to the fire alarm box. GRFD disconnected the power to the entire fire alarm system to silence the alarm. The facilities maintenance person arrived on scene and advised Officer Roerick that there was a camera in the lobby area.
Officer Roerick reviewed the surveillance footage. Officer Roerick observed Defendant entering the building at approximately 2:35 A.M. Defendant steps out of camera view toward where the fix alarm box is located. Defendant then enters the lobby and check his mailbox. Defendant moves to a cork board and starts pulling papers off and throwing them on the floor. Defendant then enters the dining area and moves toward the wall where the fire pull station is located. Defendant steps out of the camera view then the fire doors are seen closing and the fire alarm lights are seen flashing.
Defendant reenters the lobby area before the fire door closes. Defendant then leaves the view of the camera. Grand Rapids Police Sergeant Heath Smith arrived on scene, and he and Officer Roerick attempted to make contact with Defendant at his apartment on the third floor. Defendant would not answer his door. Sgt. Smith and Officer Roerick returned to the first floor to speak with the facilities maintenance person. While speaking with the facilities maintenance person, Sgt. Smith and Officer Roerick were alerted that Defendant was in the third floor hallway.
Sgt. Smith and Officer Roerick returned to the third floor and saw Defendant in the hallway outside his apartment. Defendant went into his apartment and closed the door prior to Sgt. Smith and Officer Roerick making contact. Sgt. Smith and Officer Roerick attempted to make contact with Defendant. Defendant spoke briefly with Sgt. Smith and Officer Roerick through the door but refused to open the door. Officer Roerick received a repair invoice for the fire alarm box totaling $3,490.22. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn.
