Man Charged After Allegedly Throwing Paint Can, Causing More Than $2,200 in Damage at Inver Grove Heights Business
Published: August 10th, 2026.
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS: A man has been charged with a felony after allegedly throwing a paint can inside an Inver Grove Heights business, causing more than $2,200 in damage after employees refused to tint paint that was purchased elsewhere.
Christopher Michael Ball, 44, is charged in Dakota County District Court with first-degree criminal damage to property, according to a criminal complaint.
The charge stems from an incident that allegedly occurred on June 6, 2026.
According to the complaint, a male customer brought a can of paint into the business around 9:40 p.m. and asked employees to tint it. Employees reportedly told him they could not tint the paint because it had not been purchased from the business.
The man allegedly became upset and threw the paint can into the air, causing paint to splatter throughout the area.
Officers responded to a property damage report at the business on June 13. According to the probable cause statement, surveillance video captured the incident, and officers later identified the suspect as Ball.
Police connected Ball to a vehicle seen on surveillance footage and compared his driver's license photo with the person shown in the video, according to the complaint.
An officer later interviewed Ball at his residence. Ball allegedly admitted that he threw the paint can out of frustration after the business refused to help him.
The business provided an estimate totaling $2,255.62 in damage, including $1,294.81 for materials, $684.67 for labor and $276.14 in freight, according to the complaint.
Ball is charged with first-degree criminal damage to property involving damage that reduces the value of property by more than $1,000. The felony carries a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court. Ball is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.