Man Accused of Setting Fire With Mother Inside Saint Paul Home
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A house fire in Saint Paul led to a first-degree arson charge after police say a man set the blaze while his mother was inside and unable to leave.
The incident happened around 12:43 p.m. Friday, March 6 at a home on the 400 block of Mississippi River Boulevard North.
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According to the criminal complaint, officers were called to the home after a man repeatedly dialed 911 claiming he had hostages, guns and wanted to kill them. When officers arrived, they met the caller’s father outside, who identified the suspect as 37-year-old Maclyn Saeed Mahmoodi.
The father told officers his son was experiencing a mental health crisis and was preventing his mother from leaving the home, believing he was protecting her from being harmed by someone else.
Officers attempted to enter but were initially blocked as Mahmoodi shut the door from inside. Police reported seeing his mother inside the home on the ground, unable to move due to a recent medical procedure.
While outside, officers heard Mahmoodi say he was starting a fire and that it had already begun. They also reported smelling smoke and hearing him say the porch was on fire.
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Officers were eventually able to enter and take Mahmoodi into custody. During a search, officers recovered two lighters from him.
Saint Paul fire crews arrived and extinguished the fire, which was actively burning when they got to the scene.
Mahmoodi declined to speak with investigators after his arrest.
Prosecutors charged Mahmoodi with first-degree arson, alleging he set fire to a building while knowing another person was inside. If convicted, the offense carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison or a $35,000 fine, or both.
Court records show he made an initial court appearance last week and was released without bail. As conditions of release, he must abstain from non-prescribed drugs and alcohol, complete a comprehensive assessment and remain compliant with prescribed medications.
According to the criminal complaint, officers arrived on a report of a stabbing and found a juvenile male with multiple injuries. The boy suffered multiple stab wounds.