Minneapolis man charged after rifle and suppressor allegedly stolen from FBI vehicle during North Side unrest

Federal complaint outlines alleged break-in during protest-related disorder

A 33-year-old Minneapolis man is facing federal charges after investigators said he stole a rifle and other equipment from an unmarked FBI vehicle during unrest on the city’s North Side on Jan. 14, 2026.

Federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint charging Raul Gutierrez with theft of government property and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A criminal complaint is an обвинation and is not evidence; Gutierrez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

What investigators say happened

Investigators allege the theft occurred after FBI personnel were assisting federal homeland security officers during an arrest-related operation in Minneapolis that involved the use of force. As unrest grew, authorities said federal personnel were forced to abandon vehicles and property at the scene. Prosecutors allege people in the crowd forced entry into an unmarked FBI vehicle and removed items stored inside.

The complaint alleges the stolen property included a Colt M16A1 rifle and a HUXWRX suppressor, among other equipment.

Video evidence and identification

Investigators said they reviewed publicly posted videos showing damage to federal vehicles and the removal of property. The complaint alleges one video shows a man with a distinctive facial tattoo removing a soft rifle case containing the rifle and suppressor from a trunk vault of the FBI vehicle. Another video allegedly shows the same man walking with the case and placing it into the back seat of a black Ford sedan.

Prosecutors say the man in the videos was identified as Gutierrez.

Arrest details and what comes next

According to the complaint, surveillance was established near Gutierrez’s residence the morning after the incident. Investigators said they observed a tow truck load a covered vehicle and leave, and that wind lifted the cover enough to reveal a black Ford sedan resembling the one shown in video footage. The complaint alleges investigators attempted a traffic stop; the tow truck fled, and two men ran in different directions before both were arrested after a brief foot pursuit.

Gutierrez was expected to make an initial court appearance in federal court. Prosecutors noted that felony trials cannot proceed solely on a complaint and said a decision on whether to seek an indictment would be made later.

Context: unrest tied to federal enforcement activity

The alleged theft occurred amid heightened tensions connected to federal immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis in mid-January. Authorities have said disorder around the same period included objects thrown at law enforcement and efforts to disperse crowds from what police described as an unlawful assembly.

• Defendant: Raul Gutierrez, 33, Minneapolis
• Allegations: theft of government property; felon in possession of a firearm
• Date of alleged incident: Jan. 14, 2026
• Items cited in complaint: Colt M16A1 rifle; HUXWRX suppressor

Note to readers: A criminal complaint sets out allegations that must be tested in court. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.