Simple Act of Littering Leads Police to Weapons Stash

Minneapolis police say they've uncovered a stash of weapons and possible bomb-making materials—all because a resident saw people littering. Police say a man spotted two occupants of a parked car throwing food wrappers on the ground in north Minneapolis around 5pm Thursday, per Minnesota Public Radio. When the witness attempted to get the car's license plate number, the occupants exited the car and informed the man that they had guns, police say. The man then flagged down officers, who tried to diffuse the situation, but the men in the car raised suspicions when they claimed they couldn't be away from their vehicle because they were awaiting a drone delivery, police say, per the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Citing fear for the safety of the passerby, officers say they then searched the men's vehicle and found a hand grenade, handgun, assault rifles, magazines, and ammunition. Bomb squad personnel determined the ammunition—together with cellphones, computers, drone parts, and other electronic devices in the car—could have been used to build bombs, according to a criminal complaint. Abdullah Alrifahe, 27, is now charged with carrying a pistol in public without a permit. (The Star Tribune reports he was convicted of the same offense in December.) Jail records show an apparent relative, Majid Alrifahe, 26, also faces disorderly conduct, misdemeanor assault, and weapons charges stemming from Thursday's incident. (A 2-year-old was once ticketed for littering.)