Roseville PD Seek Public's Help Identifying People Who Stole Black Lives Matter Sign

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Roseville Police Department is looking for help from the public to identify people involved with several bias-motivated crimes.

Over the past month, there have been multiple incidents near the 1900 block of Country Road B. Each incident targeted a resident's Black Lives Matter sign. There have also been four separate reports of dead raccoons placed in the nearby area.

The most recent incident involved a dead raccoon found nailed to a utility post on the morning of July 12.

On June 25, a 55-year-old Roseville man admitted to damaging the Black Lives Matter sign because he found it offensive. He is currently facing a misdemeanor charge. Detectives are investigating whether he is connected to the raccoon incidents.

Officials are also asking for the public's help in identifying a woman and a man responsible for stealing signs on June 19 at 5:05 p.m. They both were riding a black Dodge pickup truck that looked to have an exercise machine in the bed.

City officials released this statement early Friday evening:

The City of Roseville unequivocally condemns the recent defacing and removal of Black Lives Matter signs and the abhorrent and highly offensive use of dead raccoons to intimidate and terrorize persons of color in our community.

These racist acts and threats of violence will not be tolerated nor allowed to continue without consequences.

The City of Roseville is committed to seeking justice in these matters. We recognize that these incidents cause deep pain and trauma for persons of color in our community and we stand alongside our community members in speaking out against racism.

Roseville aspires to be a welcoming and safe community to all and these incidents underscore the need to diligently and deliberately continue our anti-racism work toward achieving that goal.

If anyone has information, they can call Roseville Police at 651-792-7008. You can also submit a tip online by clicking here.