About 140 Minneapolis businesses damaged this week in crime spree

Dozens of businesses in Minneapolis have been damaged this week in what officials on Thursday called an opportunistic crime spree following the death of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center on Sunday.

"These were not related to the unrest and protests in Brooklyn Center," Erik Hansen, director of Economic Policy and Development in Minneapolis, said, although he said it’ll take time for the city to fully understand what happened.

According to Hansen, the city received at least 200 calls reporting burglaries, alarms or damage to businesses since Sunday night. About 140 businesses were impacted, spread around the city but many run by people of color and immigrants.

Hansen said the city is still evaluating how much damage was caused but they aren’t expected to rise to levels where help would be requested from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In the wake of Wright’s death, seven community organizations that were tapped to help with community patrols during the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin began on Monday. Sasha Cotton, director of the Office of Violence Prevention in Minneapolis, said the groups have paid particularly close attention to helping youth but have also helped with some mental health calls.

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said there weren’t any credible threats to the city as of Thursday morning.

He also was questioned about the use of tear gas and rubber bullets on protesters and clarified that he has the final say on whether or not those can be used. However, other agencies that respond and help in Minneapolis follow their own rules and report to their leaders, not Arradondo.

As the Chauvin trial continues, some business owners are preparing for possible protests but have been encouraged by the law enforcement presence in the city, according to Arradondo. The chief said he’s heard from several business owners this week who’ve called to praise the presence of Minnesota National Guard members and other law enforcement or ask for even more of a presence.

Arradondo and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the law enforcement presence is expected to increase as the trial continues.

Thursday, the defense rested its case in Chauvin’s trial. Closing arguments are expected to take place Monday morning before the jury begins deliberations.

Click the video box above to watch Thursday’s full press conference.