MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Just because cities like Portland and Seattle have been in the spotlight for protesting-gone-wild doesn’t mean that Minneapolis has been exactly quiet in the fallout of the tremendous riots from late May and June in the city.
8/15/20 Minneapolis | Protesters Vandalize Minneapolis 5th Precinct, Shoot Fireworks At Officers. Heartbroken resident said, “When did these peaceful protesters get paint cans?…This message doesn’t get anyone on your side.” https://t.co/bNBaFDGIQ9
— Liz Jones (@LizJone26271417) August 16, 2020
The Minneapolis Police Department’s 5th Precinct became the target of vandals on August 15, which while not nearly as egregious as the burning of the 3rd Precinct in May, still shows that police are being targeted solely for being police.
Police stated that approximately 50 to 60 people were seen making their way down toward the 5th Precinct at about 10 minutes past 10:00 p.m. on the evening of the 15th, which is located at East 31st Street and Nicollet Avenue.
At first, there was nothing that alarmed police about the congregation, but then upon arriving at the police precinct, that’s when the mob engaged in destruction. Vandals were said to have been throwing large rocks and splashing the building with paint. Security cameras were also reportedly doused with paint as well.
There were also reports of fireworks that were aimed at police as well. Luckily, no officers were reported as being injured.
When officers were sent to the area to address the rioting crowd, the suspects had fled the area before police could arrive. The day after, city workers spent hours clearing off the vandals’ mess by way of power-washing the building.
8/15/20 Minneapolis | Photos of damage by protesters. pic.twitter.com/bXnA5nWmmC
— Liz Jones (@LizJone26271417) August 16, 2020
One local, who did not reveal her name, stated the following about the vandalism:
“It’s upsetting, it definitely is. I live a block away and I wanted to come over and see what had happened, and of course when I got here, [I’m] just completely disgusted, and actually pretty heartbroken.”
Officials say that most of the paint should be able to get removed. One window, however, was cracked by an object that was thrown by one of the miscreants.
MPD Chief Medaria Arradondo made a statement following the criminal acts from the evening of the 15th:
“Individuals marched to the Minneapolis Police Department’s 5th Precinct and proceeded to vandalize the exterior of the building and target officers with commercial-grade fireworks. This unlawful and senseless behavior will not be tolerated. Acts such as these do absolutely nothing to constructively engage and activate true and real needed reforms.”
The chief’s statement explained that the officers from the MPD come into work despite the numerous challenges they’ve been facing, such as the pandemic as well as the increased violent crime. While Chief Arradondo commended those who peacefully assemble to protest, he stated that anyone engaging in criminal acts under the cover of protests will get prosecuted.
As of now, there have been no arrests for those involved during the weekend vandalism at the precinct.
In other vandalism-related news, an arrest has been made in the 9/11 Memorial vandalism that happened in New York state last month.
On July 8, in Washingtonville, NY, an American Flag was cut down, desecrating the 9/11 firefighters memorial it was a part of.
The flagpole was located in the center of five black granite memorial plaques, honoring the firefighters from the Washingtonville area who lost their lives on 9/11 during rescue efforts. It also honors other Washingtonville area residents who lost their lives that day as well.
Courageous “freedom fighters” near our home cut down the flagpole and vandalized a 9/11 memorial for Washingtonville’s five local fallen FDNY firefighters who perished at the World Trade Center, and then vandalized St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church nearby. https://t.co/mQAd1x9FoR
— James A. Gagliano (@JamesAGagliano) July 9, 2020
In addition to the 9/11 Memorial flagpole, another American Flag flagpole was cut down in a strip mall in New Windsor, NY on July 9, followed by another one on July 10 at a New Windsor cemetery.
On August 14, a small piece of justice was served on these disgraceful acts. According to a press release from the New Windsor Police Department, Andre P. Narbonne, 40, of the Town of New Windsor, was arrested in connection with all three incidents.
Narbonne has been charged with two counts of Criminal Mischief, second degree (class D felonies), 1 count of Criminal Mischief, third degree (class E felony), and 1 count of Criminal Mischief, fourth degree (class A misdemeanor).
He was arraigned and released without bail due to the fact that his crimes are non-qualifying bail offenses under the new bail reform act.
Narbonne is scheduled to appear in New Windsor Town Court on August 25 at 3:00 p.m.
Narbonne was also charged by the Village of Washingtonville for the 9/11 Memorial desecration, and will appear in the Village of Washingtonville Court on September 9th at 4:30 p.m.
According to reports, Narbonne fled to the State of Washington after he committed these acts, which delayed his arrest until he returned.
New Windsor Police Chief Robert L. Doss released a statement saying:
“I am very proud of the New Windsor Police Officers that were able to identify Mr. Narbonne as the perpetrator of these crimes and I am very thankful to our Law Enforcement partners that assisted us in this investigation.
“These deeply disturbing incidents involving flag poles being cut down in New Windsor are disgraceful and offensive. The fact that both flag poles involved were proudly flying American flags when they were cut down just adds to the outrageousness of these crimes.
“Our country’s flag has been an inspiring symbol of democracy, justice and freedom for over 200 years. It is sickening to me that someone could do something like this while not caring about the sacrifices that have been suffered by those who have defended our freedom.”
Village of Washingtonville Police Chief Brian Zaccaro released a statement saying:
“Today brings some closure from the unsettling incidents that were discovered in the Town of New Windsor and the Village of Washingtonville early this past July.
“This individual would have never expected that the damage he deliberately caused would have resulted in the mass outpouring from the community and the attention of the nation.
“While there is some negative publicity that law enforcement has been receiving lately, I want to point out that this arrest, is a perfect example of how different law enforcement agencies work closely together every single day to solve crimes.
“If it was not for the dedicated and professional men and women in our law enforcement agencies, crimes like these could easily go unsolved. But that did not happen here, we worked tirelessly and shared information with each other so we could bring closure to both our great communities.
“I am profoundly proud of the hard work that everyone did to bring someone to justice on these cases.”
According to the Village of Washingtonville Facebook press release:
“The Town of New Windsor Police Department and the Village of Washingtonville Police Department were assisted in this investigation by several partner Law Enforcement agencies.
“They include: the New York State Police, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the U.S. Marshall’s Service, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center.”
Mayor Joseph Bucco said in a statement exclusively to Law Enforcement Today:
“I am beyond proud of the various law enforcement agencies who assisted in bringing justice to the Village of Washingtonville, and the Town of New Windsor.
“In true Washingtonville fashion our residents stepped up and helped guard the 9/11 memorial after the desecration. The arrest of Andre P. Narbonne will give them, and all of our residents peace of mind knowing justice will be served.”
Want to make sure you never miss a story from Law Enforcement Today? With so much “stuff” happening in the world on social media, it’s easy for things to get lost.
Make sure you click “following” and then click “see first” so you don’t miss a thing! (See image below.) Thanks for being a part of the LET family!
