Man Arrested After Spray Painting Multiple Buildings During Protest
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A man was arrested Saturday night after police say he vandalized multiple buildings in Minneapolis.
The vandalism took place while a group was marching in protest of ICE operations taking place throughout the country.
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According to Minneapolis police, the incident happened around 7 p.m. on Jan. 10 as officers monitored a group moving along East Lake Street.
The department says officers watched a man on camera spray paint a Metro Transit bus that was stopped in traffic. As the group continued moving, the same man was seen spray painting several nearby properties, including a theater, a church, a Minneapolis school building, a Hennepin County healthcare building and a Target store. All of the reported damage occurred along the Lake Street corridor.
Police say officers tracking the activity through surveillance cameras in the area directed officers to the suspect’s location. When officers moved in to arrest him, the man ran. He was taken into custody a short time later after a brief foot chase.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the damage affected businesses and buildings in one of the city’s most prominent commercial corridors:
“This is exactly what I had predicted: damage being done would affect the heart of our immigrant community along Lake Street,” O’Hara said in a written statement. “The MPD is ready to respond to all criminal activity and find and arrest those who come and commit crimes. I am incredibly grateful to all MPD members who have worked incredibly hard to help maintain peace.”
Police identified the suspect as Francis Steinhauer, 24. He was arrested and booked into the Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of damage to property. Criminal charges are still pending.
Police are asking business owners who believe their property was damaged to report it by calling 911 or 311.
