Minneapolis mosque burglary being investigated, $50,000 in losses reported

Authorities are investigating whether or not a burglary at a Minneapolis mosque was motivated by hate or bias.

Minneapolis police responded to Tawfiq Islamic Center, at the corner of Minnehaha Avenue and East 24th Street in the Seward neighborhood, shortly after 5 a.m. Monday on a report of a burglary that happened the night before.

Security cameras caught a person breaking and entering, damaging more than a dozen doors and stealing donations.

At a press conference Tuesday denouncing the crime, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said assessments are still in progress but the mosque’s losses are believed to be greater than $50,000.

“This attack, as simple as it is, is an attack against all places of worship,” CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein said.

Minneapolis police say investigators are still evaluating whether or not the burglary and property damage constituted a possible hate crime.

“No one expects this type of an attack, but when it does come, the impact exists far beyond,” Hussein added.

Anyone who recognizes the person responsible, pictured above, is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.