Sauk Rapids Man Charged in Arson and Fraud Case from 2020

(KNSI) — More than two years after a fire severely damaged a semi, a Sauk Rapids man has been arrested for aiding and abetting arson and insurance fraud.

According to the criminal complaint, on August 12th, 2020, firefighters were called to a semi-tractor on fire on the side of the road on County Road 75 and 240th Street in St. Augusta. Investigators contacted Freightliner of St. Cloud and learned that truck had been in the shop for the last eight days due to transmission issues but had been released less than an hour before the fire. Investigators determined the fire started in the sleeper cab, and the remains of a red gas can and towel soaked in what is believed to be gasoline were found between the driver and passenger seat. They also found an invoice for service addressed to Abdikadir Muhumud Mire, who was also the registered owner of the truck.

Court papers say August 14th, the 30-year-old Mire came into the Stearns County Law Enforcement Center and reported his truck missing, telling investigators Hussein Abdulahi Ahmed called him and said he parked the truck at the Pilot Gas Station on August 12th, but someone stole it. Mire denied mechanical issues with the truck, said Freightliner was ripping him off, and the truck was driving fine after Ahmed left Pilot. Mire was then told the truck was found burned on the side of the road. He said Ahmed would never set his own truck on fire. Investigators told Mire they were aware of the transmission issues and that he had made a credit card payment to Freightliner. Mire denied calling Freightliner, making the payments and said someone must have stolen his card before saying he sent Ahmed to get the truck as he was the only one authorized to drive it.

Phone records showed contact on August 12th between Mire, Ahmed, another man who was not involved in the scam and Freightliner.

August 18th, 2020, Mire filed an insurance claim on his truck, saying someone stole it and set it on fire. The appraisal was just over $96,000, but he still owed more than $33,500. Investigators confirmed insurance paid the claim in November 2020 for what was owed on the truck, which went directly to Volvo. The trucking company owner said Mire was mad the payout wasn’t higher.

Ahmed told police he didn’t know Mire and Mire was not the truck’s owner, claimed he never worked in August, denied being in St. Cloud and didn’t recall picking up a truck from Freightliner.

The criminal complaint does not specify if Ahmed was charged with arson.

Unconditional bail for Mire was set at $100,000. He’s due back in court on November 23rd.

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