Man charged for vandalizing multiple storm drains throughout St. Paul

A suspect has been charged for allegedly vandalizing multiple storm sewer drains in St. Paul.

Kevin Michael Monahan, 34, was charged on Friday with five counts of first-degree damage to property.

Court records show that since early June, St. Paul has had several hundred storm sewer grates removed and then dropped into storm sewer drains, which has totaled the city over $20,000.

On Aug. 6 at about 7:30 a.m., officials received reports of a man dropping sewer grates into holes at several locations in St. Paul. Police responded and found more than 10 grates removed and dropped into drains.

At about 9:45 a.m., a woman reported that while she was getting into her car, she fell into a sewer drain that was missing a grate on Ninth near Sibley Street, according to court records.

Authorities obtained video showing a man removing multiple grates and dropping them into drains.

Court documents note that on Aug. 7, officers saw the man outside the Higher Ground shelter, and he was wearing the same clothing seen in the video. He was identified as Monahan and taken into custody by St. Paul police.

In an interview, Monahan said he removed the grates because they were “dirty and needed to be cleaned out.” He stated that he was trying to help, but admitted no one gave him permission.

The criminal complaint states that he didn’t return the grates because “I could only reach so many of them … some of them are too deep.”

Monahan also told authorities that he had not been working with anyone else and had been interested in the issue for three to five months.

Investigators are still working to determine the exact number of incidents Monahan may be responsible for and whether anyone else was involved.

If you see someone actively removing a storm drain grate, call 911 to report the incident to St. Paul police.

To report a missing grate or other storm drain damage, email St. Paul Public Works at publicworksinfo@stpaul.gov.
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