Cooler but still well above normal this week

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A Minneapolis man remains at large after being charged with arson in connection to a fire Monday night at a city mosque. 

Prosecutors say Jackie Rahm Little, 36, allegedly set the fire at Masjid Al Rahma mosque and community center — also known as Mercy Center — at 27th Street and Bloomington Avenue in south Minneapolis.

Authorities working to locate and arrest Little say they are trying to determine if that fire is connected to a second suspected arson on Sunday at a mosque in the 24 Mall, a few minutes’ drive from Masjid Al Rahma. 

The criminal complaint filed in connection with the Monday fire alleges that surveillance video shows Little entering the mosque and community center carrying a bag containing a gasoline can. Soon after, people in the building discovered a fire in a third-floor hallway.

The building was evacuated; there were no reports of injuries. 

The complaint says there’s also video footage of Little buying a gas can and filling it with gas at a nearby business on the day of the fire; it does not indicate a possible motive.

Sunday’s fire happened at the Masjid Omar Islamic Center, located on the second floor of the 24 Mall in south Minneapolis.

Worshippers noticed a fire in a bathroom, not long after video showed a masked man entering the building with a large paper bag. Less than 10 minutes after entering, the man was seen running out of the building without the bag. 

Worshippers put out that fire; no injuries were reported.

Crime, Law and Justice

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Jackie Rahm Little, 36, was charged in connection with Monday’s fire at Masjid Al Rahma mosque. As they search for him, authorities say they are working to determine if Monday’s fire is connected to a fire Sunday at another mosque nearby. 

Police seek man charged with arson in Minneapolis mosque fire

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