MPLS Man Admits To Dropping Table, Dumbbell, Cereal Bowl On Cars

MINNEAPOLIS — A 30-year-old Minneapolis man admitted Monday that he dropped dumbbells, a cereal bowl, furniture, and other items from his ninth-floor balcony onto vehicles passing by his downtown apartment building.

Michael B. Judy pleaded guilty in Hennepin County to first-degree property damage after dropping items. No people were injured, but there was at least one near-miss with a pedestrian and the items inflicted thousands of dollars in vehicle damage, police said.

Under the plea agreement, Judy will serve three years of probation and will not serve prison time if he does not violate the terms of his sentence.

On Jan. 5, Minneapolis police began investigating reports of an unknown person dropping objects from a balcony at the southeast corner of 3rd Avenue South and Washington Avenue South.

Earlier, on Jan. 3 just before 7 p.m., a cereal bowl hit the hood of a sedan leaving a large dent on the hood at 3rd Avenue South and Washington Avenue South, police said.

About an hour later at the same corner, a table and some chairs were found on the street after a caller reported almost being struck by the falling furniture, according to investigators.

On Jan. 4 at about 11:50 p.m., an airport shuttle was going north on 3rd Avenue South when a black dumbbell hit the roof, leaving a large dent, the criminal complaint states.

The driver reported being "terrified" and one of the seven passengers said the dumbbell hit right above where he was sitting, according to police. Officers recovered an "INTEK" brand dumbbell weighing 3 pounds.

On Jan. 5, a sedan was driving northbound on 3rd Avenue South when the driver's windshield was smashed by a wine bottle, investigators said.

Investigators determined the items were being thrown from apartment 903 and learned that Judy — who lived there — was recently served an eviction notice, according to police.

Officers monitored unit 903 using surveillanve video and watched Judy throw multiple items over the railing of his balcony including a cordless drill, a coffeemaker, a coffee pot, and a milk jug, the criminal complaint states.

Judy "appeared to hide prior and after throwing the items," and was targeting vehicles below him, police said.

The apartment is located about 115 feet up and the thrown objects could kill someone, officers deteremined.

Due to the safety concerns, police blocked traffic at 3rd Avenue South and on the sidewalk found coffee maker parts, a large glass wine bottle, fake flower arrangement, box for a bottle of Patron, and a sex toy-making kit, according to police.

Police obtained a search warrant for Judy's apartment and, after hours of lengthy negotiation, he came out of the apartment, the criminal complaint states.

Police found "INTEK" brand dumbbells in the apartment complex's gym, where the 3 pound weights were missing, according to police.