Robbinsdale man charged with first-degree property damage

A Robbinsdale man has been charged with first-degree property damage, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Thursday.

Larry Raduenz, 39, is facing one count of first-degree property damage for tampering with the oxygen supply at North Memorial Hospital on Dec. 27, 2019. Raduenz made his first court appearance today at 1:30 p.m. His next scheduled appearance is March 5.

“It is shocking that an individual would take a step like this to endanger the lives and wellbeing of innocent and hospitalized people,” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said. “Our office is currently investigating this case and we will pursue other charges if evidence supports us doing so.”

According to the criminal complaint, on Dec. 27, Raduenz can be seen in hospital surveillance footage walking through the hospital atrium and then exiting through sliding glass doors. After leaving the hospital, Raduenz walks towards the fenced-off oxygen tanks where he is seen standing behind one of the main oxygen tanks. After a few minutes, Raduenz moves out of the camera’s view.

Approximately 10 minutes later, an engineer with the hospital is alerted by staff that oxygen tank pressure is rapidly decreasing, and that he needs to check the main valves. When the engineer arrives at the gated oxygen tank area, he notices that the valves have been forcefully opened, and that zip ties and stainless-steel latches securing them have been tampered with and broken, the complaint continues.

On Feb. 5, Raduenz was apprehended at a shelter in St. Paul. He told investigators that he was upset with the hospital, and later, after initially denying any involvement with the oxygen tanks, admits that he may have been the one who interfered with the oxygen tanks.

Raduenz is currently in custody. Bail has been set at $20,000.

Larry Raduenz Criminal Complaint (PDF)