Two Minneapolis brothers have been charged with breaking into the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct building after it was set...
Two Minneapolis brothers have been charged with breaking into the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct building after it was set ablaze in destructive protests and riots in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Brothers Rory, 29, and Trevor Amsler, 26, broke into the precinct after cops abandoned the building and it was set alight on May 28 in protest of police brutality.
Rory Amsler shared a Facebook Live video on May 29 from inside the building allegedly showing himself and his brother rip the walls, throw items out the window, and break into closed drawers and a storage closer.
In the clip they allegedly steal a flashlight charger they thought was a rifle scope and a phone charger.
Brothers Rory, 29, (left) and Trevor Amsler, 26, (right) filmed themselves on Facebook Live breaking into the Minneapolis Police Department's Third Precicint on May 29
The Minneapolis Police Department's Third Precinct pictured set on fire on May 27 during protets decrying the police killing of George Floyd. Following Floyd's death the precinct was repeatedly set on fire for several days
The criminal complaint says they also aired personal information from the documents they found including suspect information in the livestream.
Rory Amsler is heard on the video saying he's not taking anything and claimed he was a reporter.
He filmed Trevor smashing a locked desk drawer with a hammer to open a drawer and take a cellphone charger.
In the clip, that is no longer on social media, Rory is seen walking into the basement of the precinct and found a fire raging inside, according to the complaint.
The video ends with him trying to find help because his brother is in the building.
A massive crowd of protesters denouncing police brutality gathered outside the Third Police Precinct and set it on fire on the third night of George Floyd protests on May 28
Chaos from inside the Minneapolis Police precinct on May 29 show people inside the building, vandalizing it with graffiti
Protesters pictured inside the Minenapolis Police Department's third Precinct after setting fire to its entrance on May 29
Over 1500 buildings were damaged during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd. The smoldering entrance to the burned Third Precinct pictured above on May 28
The brothers were arrested on June 5 and each charged with one count of second-degree burglary, which has a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
When interviewed by police Trevor Amsler admitted he and his brother went to the precinct the day after the siege and damaged some property, according to the complaint.
Rory Amsler told police he was in the building filming his brother but denied stealing any items himself.
The brothers were arrested on June 5 and each charged with one count of second-degree burglary, which has a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison
Trevor Amsler said he fled the building from a second-story window due to the fire and left items behind in his backpack.
Both were released from jail on June 8 after each posting $40,000 bond.
Their first court appearance is scheduled for July 8.
On May 25 African American man George Floyd was killed by white police officer Derek Chauvin who kneed Floyd in the neck for nearly nine minutes, killing him in a horrific act caught on video, that has sent shockwaves across the country.
Carnage broke out in Minneapolis, demanding the police department be dismantled as protests emerged and in some cases escalated into violent riots.
Over 1,500 buildings were damaged during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd.
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