Minneapolis police arrested a man they say vandalized several Lake Street businesses during an anti-ICE protest march on Saturday.
Francis David Steinhauer, 24, is being held in Hennepin County Jail on a probable cause charge of property damage.
Police released photos and a statement saying that police monitoring a group that was marching along Lake Street at about 7 p.m. observed a man, later identified as Steinhauer, spray-painting a Metro Transit bus stopped in traffic.
As the group continued marching, the man was seen spray-painting multiple businesses including a theater, church, a Minneapolis school building, a Hennepin County healthcare building, and Target. All the businesses and property damaged were along the Lake Street corridor, “the heart of Minneapolis’ immigrant community,” the statement read.
Officers were directed to the suspect’s location by others who were monitoring cameras in the area, the police statement said. When officers attempted to arrest the man, he fled on foot. Officers were able to take him into custody a short time later.
“This is exactly what I had predicted: damage being done would affect the heart of our immigrant community along Lake Street,” said Chief Brian O’Hara. “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 encourage anyone who owns a business that has been damaged to report it to the MPD by calling 911 or 311.
Alpha News will continue to follow developments on formal charges.
The incident followed another large protest overnight Friday to Saturday, during which about 30 people received citations related to unlawful assembly in downtown Minneapolis. A crowd of over a thousand anti-ICE protesters gathered outside the Canopy Hotel and the Depot Renaissance Hotel near South 3rd Street and Park Avenue for several hours. The latter sustained $6,000 in damage to windows and in graffiti during that incident, police said.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
