On November 25, 2025, Officer Goergen responded to a report of property damage at a building located in Southwest Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. Upon his arrival, he met with an adult male, fully identified in police reports (hereinafter “Manager”), who stated he manages the property where the damage occurred. Manager showed Officer Goergen a hole in a glass windowpane in the building’s skyway-level hallway. The hole caused a spiderweb crack pattern on the glass. Manager believed the damage occurred over the weekend, as he observed the damage on the morning of November 24, 2025. Manager stated additional damage was discovered the morning of November 25, when he observed an emergency light fixture had been knocked off the wall and the corner of a pillar was damaged.
Officer Goergen reviewed camera footage from a neighboring building. The camera footage captured the damage that occurred to the light and the pillar, which occurred on November 22, 2025, at approximately 9:25 PM. Officer Goergen immediately recognized DAMIEN JUSTIN NEWMAN, [DOB REDACTED], who appeared to be holding an object that resembled a screwdriver. The footage showed Newman striking the wall, causing the emergency light fixture to fall down. Newman also struck the corner of the pillar with the object.
The video did not capture the damage to the window, but Newman was the only individual in the hallway at the time of the offense. On November 27, Officer Goergen made contact with Newman. When informed surveillance video showed him damaging the light and pillar, Newman stated he felt harassed and admitted to causing the damage. When asked about the hole in the glass, Newman again indicated his frustration, stating, “Because I can’t punch you in the face.” Newman stated he would pay for the damage but expressed doubt that the damage exceeded $1,000. On December 4, 2025, Officer Goergen received an estimate from Manager.
The estimated cost to replace the broken window was $2,865, and the estimated cost to repair the drywall was $330, for a total combined value of $3,195. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: YOU MUST APPEAR FOR EVERY COURT HEARING REGARDING THIS CASE. FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR COURT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING IMPOSED AND PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 609.49.
