Arrest made after Minneapolis East African businesses hit by vandalism

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Last edited Fri Sep 27, 2019, 08:59 PM - Edit history (2)

Arrest made after Minneapolis East African businesses hit by vandalism (on Franklin Avenue), 9/19/19

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/09/19/sahan-minneapolis-east-african-business-owners-say-theyve-been-targeted-by-vandalism

https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/09/20/string-of-vandalism-shocks-somali-community-in-minneapolis/

20 second fairly clear of the attacker who hit the first 2 places on the list below (they are 2 miles apart)

$5 Pizza at Franklin Avenue and 2nd Avenue South

Seward Market & Halal Meat at Franklin Avenue and 25th Avenue South

Capitol Cafe 2417 E. Franklin Ave.

Tobacco Plus 2409 E. Franklin Ave.

Lakes Pharmacy 2423 E Franklin Ave <- from 9/27/19 news story, post #2.

Hopefully it's just this one bozo.

For our out-of-state visitors, this (as is all of Minneapolis) is in Ilhan Omar's congressional district

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1. Seward Vandalism Suspect Released From Custody

https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/09/21/seward-vandalism-suspect-released-from-custody/

A 36-year-old man arrested Thursday on suspicion of property damage was released from custody without charges. It comes after a week of vandalism and damage to several Somali-owned businesses.

no more at link, except a good video

The video says they are looking into if it is a hate crime and whether to file charges (sheesh)

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2. Man Charged In Vandalism Spree ...

Man Charged In Vandalism Spree Against Somali-Owned Businesses, CBSLocal, 9/27/19

Harlin St. John, age 36 admitted to breaking the windows, claiming he did so in retaliation for someone shooting at his family members and he believed those who did were Somali. According to charging documents, St. John told officers “Somali people are selling meth and heroin to Native people” and he hates “the Somalis.”

https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/09/27/harlin-st-john-seward-minneapolis-somali-business-vandalism-hate-crimes/

Harlin St. John, of Minneapolis, faces two counts of first-degree property damage, two counts of second-degree property damage because of bias and one count of third-degree property damage because of bias. The damage caused to the businesses is estimated at more than $8,000.

In a statement, investigators say St. John admitted to breaking the windows, claiming he did so in retaliation for someone shooting at his family members and he believed those who did were Somali.

Other cases have been submitted to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, and officials say additional charges are likely. St. John is expected to make his first court appearance Monday.

Add another vandalized Somali-American-owned business: Lakes Pharmacy 2423 E Franklin Ave (see OP for 4 others)