St. Michael Hi 101 Liquor Store Owner Accused with Arson

The Wright County Sheriff’s Department has completed its investigation of a March arson at and determined the store’s owner, 74-year-old Albert John Hartinger of Dayton, is the main suspect in the case.

Hatrtinger was arrested in Buffalo Tuesday, June 19 on charges of second-degree arson for his role in the February fire that gutted the suffering business.

According to a police report last March, officers were called to 5410 Quam Circle on the morning of Feb. 27, shortly before the store opened at 11 a.m.

The business owner, Al Hartinger, filed a report of a burglary, and further investigation revealed there was also a possible arson at the store.

A contractor has been doing work at the store recently, and the liquor store was at last week, as well.

Hartinger’s business has suffered since the Minnesota Highway 101/Wright County Road 36 interchange was completed as part of the Minnesota Highway 101 rehabilitation and expansion project more than four years ago. The widening of the highway and a new off-ramp at that interchange reduced Hartinger’s visibility, including his well-knonw “BEER” sign along the roadway.

Hartinger appeared in front of the back in 2010 as the city finalized and, ultimately, approved its fiscal budget. He told the council the project had “destroyed” his business financially, and that he needed the city’s assistance to pay his taxes. Hartinger, who lives in nearby Dayton, told the council in the winter of 2010 he was “working day and night” to keep the doors open at his store.

According to Wright County records, Hartinger owes more than $54,000 in property taxes, dating back to 2008. His property, once valued at nearly $600,000 mark, dropped to below the half-million dollar mark in 2010, but is now back at about $511,000, according to the county’s valuation.

St. Michael City Clerk Diana Berning confirmed earlier this year the business had not been granted a renewal of its local liquor license, due to the outstanding debts.

St. Michael Patch will be updating the story as a criminal complaint is released from Wright County Court.