Federal authorities have arrested a man in connection with the theft of weaponry and other items from a federal vehicle amid unrest in Minneapolis earlier this month.
The arrest follows a wave of unrest that erupted after a separate incident involving law enforcement and protesters in the city. Video footage circulating online showed individuals breaking into a parked federal vehicle that had been left temporarily unattended.
Investigators with the FBI, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and other agencies reviewed the video and identified a male suspect with distinctive facial tattoos. Law enforcement says the footage showed the suspect removing a rifle from the vehicle’s weapons locker, along with other items.
The suspect was identified as Raul Gutierrez, 33, of Minneapolis. He was charged in federal court with theft of government property and being a felon in possession of a firearm, among other counts. Gutierrez is being held without bail as the case proceeds.
According to prosecutors, the investigation also traced other equipment taken from the vehicle, including ammunition and tactical gear. Surveillance and other investigative techniques were used to locate and arrest him following the unrest.
Authorities emphasized that breaking into and stealing from federal vehicles, especially when weapons are involved, poses significant public safety risks and will be pursued aggressively.
The arrest is part of a broader effort by federal law enforcement to address criminal actions tied to the series of protests and clashes in Minneapolis in recent weeks.
Investigators say they continue looking for additional individuals involved in similar incidents amid the unrest, and have offered rewards for information leading to their arrest.
As the legal process unfolds, charges are expected to be detailed in court filings, and authorities have reiterated their commitment to holding those responsible for theft and violence accountable.
