Alleged prolific burglar suspected in mosque break-in

A man suspected of committing at least a dozen burglaries or attempted burglaries around south Minneapolis, including the break-in of a South Side mosque that got the attention of Gov. Mark Dayton, was arrested late Monday, police said.

Officers arrested the 56-year-old man in connection with the Feb. 24 incident at Umatul Islam Center, which is located in strip mall along Interstate 35W just south of E. Lake Street. The man, who as of Wednesday afternoon hadn't been charged, was booked into the Hennepin County jail on probable cause of burglary, possession of a small amount of marijuana and third-degree driving while impaired, according to jail records and Minneapolis Police spokesman John Elder. The Star Tribune generally doesn't name suspects who haven't been charged.

The man, who Third Precinct inspector Michael Sullivan described as "prolific burglary suspect," is suspected in at least a dozen break-ins of businesses along E. Lake Street, between Second and Fourth avenues. The burglaries all occurred within the past few weeks, prompting police to increase patrols in the area, Sullivan said.

Sgt. Jarrod Kunze, the lead investigator in eight of the cases, said the suspect was well known to officers, having been named in more than 170 police reports. He declined to discuss the specifics of how the suspected burglar gained entry into the businesses.

He also dismissed the idea that the man specifically targeted the mosque, saying, "I don't have any specific evidence that he targeted any specific group."

Officials said the suspect had been on police's radar from the get go and that a warrant had been issued for the man's arrest. Two patrol officers spotted the man and took him into custody sometime around midnight on Monday.

The suspect is believed to be the man surveillance cameras caught using a hammer to break interior windows and doors in the offices and classrooms. The same person also made off with computer equipment. Mosque officials estimated the damage to be about $5,000.

On Sunday, Dayton visited the Islamic center and called the crime "un-American" and "un-Minnesotan." and said it was an assault against all Minnesotans to practice their faith as they choose.

The suspect also is believed to be responsible for burglaries of other businesses in the area, Elder said.

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768 Libor Jany • 612-673-4064 Twitter:@StribJany