Minneapolis Police Challenge Daycare’s Theft Claims

Minneapolis police are refuting allegations from a Somali-operated daycare center that crucial documents proving no wrongdoing were stolen during a recent break-in.

The Nokomis Day Care Center alleged that intruders accessed the facility through the back kitchen on Tuesday and rummaged through the main office to take important business papers. However, police indicated they weren’t notified of any such incident.

Nasrullah Mohamed, the manager of Nokomis Day Care Center, informed the media that the suspects broke in through a wall in the kitchen and gained entry to the office area. He mentioned that they made off with significant documents, such as children’s registration materials, employee records, and checkbooks.

Yet, a preliminary report from the Minneapolis Police Department states that “no losses were reported to officers.” They noted receiving follow-up contact from the daycare but an updated report wasn’t immediately available.

The daycare released video evidence showing a hole in the wall that seems to lead to a utility closet.

Mohamed speculated that the robbery might be linked to a viral report by Nick Shirley, who had visited various childcare centers in Minnesota alleging fraudulent activities. Interestingly, Nokomis was not included in Shirley’s report.

“It’s shocking, and we’re uncertain why our Somali community is being targeted, especially because of one person’s video,” he expressed.

He added that since Shirley’s report, the center has received numerous derogatory and threatening messages. “This is frightening and takes a toll on us,” he said.

In a related statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson revealed that since 2018, nearly half of the $18 billion in federal welfare funds allocated to 14 Minnesota programs has been lost to fraud. He described Minnesota as a magnet for scams, creating what he referred to as a “scam tourism industry,” where people come specifically to exploit these programs.