What began as a littering complaint grew into a full-blown investigation involving the Department of Homeland Security.
On May 11 in north Minneapolis at around 5 p.m., a man saw people tossing food wrappers on the ground from an SUV, KSTP reported.
“My guardian angels steered me in that direction, and it just mushroomed from there,” the man said.
The criminal complaint explains that the man who saw the littering, who wishes to remain anonymous, confronted the litterers and asked them to pick up their trash — but his concern didn’t get him far. The Star Tribune reported that the men in the car ignored the concerned citizen until he began taking down their license plate number. At that point, they got out of the car and threatened him, claiming they had guns in the car.
The man being verbally attacked proceeded to flag down an officer nearby who attempted, but failed, to control the situation. The men insisted that they were waiting for a drone to deliver them something, so they must remain near their vehicle. Due to the suspicious and hazardous circumstances, more police officers arrived on the scene and the men were secured in the back of a squad car.
The officers then began to search the SUV and realized this complaint went far beyond what they expected.
During their search, the cops came across an entire arsenal of weaponry and electronics.
Among the items found were a hand grenade, handgun, assault rifles, magazines and an abundance of ammunition. And what was equally as suspicious were the cell phones, computers, and electronic equipment such as drone parts.
Bomb squad personnel were then called to investigate the items. They determined that the materials could have been used for bomb-making.
In addition, KSTP reported that the Department of Homeland Security may be getting involved in the case.
Despite this, it is reported that police do not believe there was a connection to a foreign terrorist organization, and nor do they think the two men, who are brothers, had terroristic attack intentions.
The brothers were both arrested following the search.
Local man Abdullah N. Alrifahe, 27, was charged with a gross misdemeanor for carrying a pistol in public without a permit. He was reportedly convicted of the same offense in December 2016. His brother, Majid Alrifahe, 26, was charged with four offenses — among them are assault and disorderly conduct.
Abdullah has a bail of $200,000 and remains in jail.
Meanwhile, Majid was released from custody the day after his arrest, and is scheduled to appear in court on May 26.
