On April 9, 2026, at approximately 2:46 A.M., police responded to 1XXX St. Paul Avenue, St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, on multiple reports of someone breaking residential windows who was armed with a knife. Upon arrival, police located the suspect, later identified as PLES EDWARD BUTLER – [DOB REDACTED]., in the middle of the road, and he was detained. As an officer sat with BUTLER in a squad car while other officers spoke with witnesses, BUTLER said he wanted to speak with the officer. BUTLER said that he was having issues with his family, including his mother who lives in the area, and they are not being honest.
BUTLER stated that he tried to make police reports, but no one took him seriously and his family would tell police that he is on drugs. BUTLER admitted to using crack that night. BUTLER told the officer that he is being followed, and people have made attempts to kill him. BUTLER reported that he was being chased into the building that night and was banging on everyone’s doors and windows begging them to call 911. BUTLER said the three people chasing him ran into the woods as police arrived. BUTLER reported that one of those men broke the windows and no one would believe him.
BUTLER stated that he had the knife because he is scared but dropped the knife when the guy asked him to. A witness, CTM, told police that he was woken up at approximately 2:35 A.M. By someone banging on his and other neighbor’s doors. CTM heard the male say things like, “I’m going to burn the building down,” and, “Call the police.” CTM opened the door slightly, saw BUTLER, then closed the door. CTM heard BUTLER break the exterior windows of his unit before leaving the scene. Another witness, RI, said he was inside his apartment when he heard windows breaking and a male yelling outside.
RI reported that the male was yelling that he was going to set the building on fire. Another witness, ATH, said he was dropping off his friend from work when BUTLER approached his car, said he needed help, and asked him to call 911. When ATH tried to drive away, he said BUTLER pulled out a knife and jumped on the hood of his car. ATH stated that he was not directly threatened by BUTLER but was scared when he displayed the knife. ATH did not see BUTLER break any windows or hear him make statements about starting the building on fire.
Another resident, JTCK, told police that she heard yelling outside the building but did not hear her window being broken. JTCK expressed concern because of her child [NAME REDACTED]. Following a Miranda advisory, BUTLER said he was homeless and had been living in the hallways of the apartment building for an unknown period of time. BUTLER reported that he is addicted to crack cocaine and smoked some that day. BUTLER stated that he believed someone was trying to kill him but was unable to articulate why he believed that.
