Police: Salvation Army Arsonist Trashes Brooklyn Park Caribou
A man responsible for breaking into the Brooklyn Park Salvation Army last fall and setting it on fire is now accused of trashing a coffee shop. The Caribou Coffee off of Colorado Lane in Brooklyn Park was closed on Wednesday after a man went on a destructive rampage on Tuesday afternoon.
“He was throwing coffee beans around, that kind of stuff. Essentially anything he could find within the store he took and smashed,” said Brooklyn Park police Inspector Elliot Faust.
Police say some people inside at the time of the incident thought there was an active shooter and ran for cover.
“This type of pandemonium breaks out, and people think it’s the worst-case scenario,” said Faust.
Nearby business owners say the incident is concerning.
“It’s very upsetting. It’s right in our strip mall here on the opposite end. We try to keep our members as possible,” said Cheryl Soli, owner of Farrell’s Extreme Body Shaping.
Brooklyn Park police say a man convicted of arson is also responsible for damaging the Caribou shop off Colorado Lane.
Suspect Convicted of Salvation Army Arson
Police say the man is someone they’ve had dealings with in the past. They identify him as Jack Heinrich, the same man convicted of arson at the Salvation Army in Brooklyn Park, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Heinrich is also accused of wreaking havoc at another business in the city. According to Brooklyn Park police, Heinrich also caused damage at the MC’s Tap House on Feb. 1. They say he smashed windows with beer bottles.
Brooklyn Park police and some business owners say they are tired of the repeat offenses.
“I would love for him to get the help he needs and maybe just stay wherever that treatment is for him, jail or wherever else that might be,” said Soli.
Brooklyn Park police arrested Heinrich at the scene. He’s facing felony damage to property and other charges.
See also: Champlin Man Gets Probation for Brooklyn Park Salvation Army Arson
