A man is accused of intentionally setting fire to a barbershop in Shoreview to force the owner to relocate the business to Columbia Heights.
According to court documents filed in Ramsey County, Dennis Manning, 55, is charged with first- and second-degree arson.
The fire occurred Wednesday evening at Pauly Ray's Sports Barbershop.
According to the criminal complaint, Manning used a lighter to light a cloth on top of some video games inside the shop shortly before 6:30 p.m.
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"The fire burned continuously and accelerated in intensity for around 20 minutes before the fire suppression sprinkler system activated and extinguished the flames," according to the report.
A deputy noticed Manning near the scene around 8 p.m., using his phone to record a video or chat with someone. According to the complaint, authorities arrested Manning and discovered a red lighter.
According to the complaint, Manning initially denied starting the fire, questioned how a lighter could set video games on fire, and finally stated that there was "no footage of me having a lighter to start anything on fire." Manning eventually admitted to authorities that he "lit a string on a cloth," but maintained that he "did not start the fire."
When investigators asked Manning why he lit the string, he allegedly stated that he was "exhausted" and wanted to get rid of the string as soon as possible.
Manning allegedly told investigators that he and the shop's owner planned to relocate it to Columbia Heights.
Authorities said the owner had known Manning for eight years and had previously worked in Manning's Columbia Heights barbershop, which had recently closed. The owner stated that Manning repeatedly inquired about moving Pauly Ray's to Columbia Heights, but the owner had no plans.
"The owner thinks Manning intentionally set the fire to close his business making it easier for the owner to agree to start a new shop in Columbia Heights," the complaint states.
According to the complaint, Pauly Ray's is closed, and the interior "has been completely gutted."
Manning was profiled by WCCO last month after his landlord informed him that he had 45 days to vacate the space occupied by Sportsmen's Barbers, Manning's shop.
"It hurts," Manning said. "They told me they sold it, and the new owners don't want us here."
