Earlier this month, Minneapolis police stumbled across an arsenal of guns, ammunition, and bomb-making materials — including a drone — inside the car of two brothers with ties to the Middle East. The pair were arrested, but now a concerned citizen is “outraged” because one of the men is already out of jail.
The police discovered the arsenal after the man reported 27-year-old Abdullah Alrifahe and 26-year-old Majid Alrifahe to law enforcement on May 11 following an incident outside a federally subsidized senior housing project. When the Good Samaritan confronted the brothers about littering from their car, they jumped out and “moved aggressively toward him,” WCCO reports.
Abdullah is being held in the Hennepin County Jail. His brother, Majid, has been released and is facing minor charges.
WCCO-TV has confirmed that both Homeland Security and the FBI are involved in the investigation, which started outside a federally-subsidized senior housing project. A good Samaritan confronted the men about littering from their car.
The man, who asked that his name not be used for fear of his safety, said the brothers jumped out of their car, moved aggressively toward him and used the N-word. He then called police.
Inside the brothers’ car, police found a loaded AK-47, another rifle, a handgun, a grenade, large amounts of ammunition, and what would later be identified as bomb-making materials, including a drone.
Abdullah Alrifahe had recently been released from jail after serving time for a weapons conviction. He is now facing a single felony weapons charge.
His brother, Majid, has been released from jail and is facing a low-level misdemeanor charges, including disorderly conduct.
The good Samaritan is outraged the charges aren’t more serious.
“For what they found in their car, that is way too light,” he said.
A criminal defense attorney told WCCO that prosecutors are “doing what they can.”
“These people have been charged with what the prosecutors can do right now,” said Joe Tamburino, who is not affiliated with the case. He said that more charges could come later.
Abdullah Alrifahe is being held on $200,000 bail, which WCCO points out is “is an extremely high amount for the charges he faces.”
The Minneapolis Police Department said the investigation remains open. WCCO also reached out to Homeland Security and the FBI for comment. Homeland Security didn’t respond to their inquiry and the FBI said it had no comment.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member