Charges: Man tried to burn Mary Tyler Moore statue downtown

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A St. Paul man was charged with arson after he tried to burn the Mary Tyler Moore statue in downtown Minneapolis.

According to the criminal complaint, on April 21, officers were dispatched to a man lighting a pile of debris on fire under the Mary Tyler Moore statue on Nicollet Mall. He also allegedly tried to light a car on fire.

As firefighters extinguished the fire, police were advised that the suspect, Paul Arthur Dimartino, left the area.

Shortly thereafter, an officer spotted the man "crouched down," trying to light clothing and paper on fire. The officer told him to stop, but Dimartino took off running. He was captured and brought into custody.

Dimartino is also charged with disorderly conduct, unlawful deposit of garbage, and fleeing a peace officer.