MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Authorities say a night of drinking, texting and then stalking an ex-girlfriend landed a principal at Cambridge Primary School behind bars.
Christopher Grote, 47, was arrested Sunday after his former girlfriend called police because he would not leave her property. According to the criminal complaint, he called her repeatedly and then showed up at her home.
When police officers arrived, Grote ran into the woods. He was eventually arrested and charged with stalking, disorderly conduct and fleeing from an officer.
It was the second time police dealt with Grote under similar circumstances.
Many who live in Cambridge say they are shocked to hear about the arrest of a popular primary school principal.
“This is not an example of what our community is all about,” resident Gladys Lindquist said.
“I think everyone liked him. He was really a nice principal,” another resident, Tom Maciaszek, said.
“He’s been an employee for 22 years past eight years a principal prior to that an elementary teacher,” District 911 Superintendent Dr. Ray Queener said.
Queener says his goal is to keep the focus at the school on teaching and learning.
“The school district will be conducting our investigation and that will commence shortly,” Queener said.
Parents we spoke with say Grote’s arrest reflects badly on the school and district.
“They represent our community and the future of our community,” Lindquist said.
Students say it’s hard to believe Grote could be accused of doing anything against the law.
“I wasn’t a good kid in school, so I was always seeing him and Mr. Peterson, so I guess he was kind of nice to me than and I never expected him to do this,” Maciaszek said.
The intermediate school principal will assume duties at the primary school while investigators look into the allegations against Grote. Counselors have been made available with students or staff who have questions or concerns.
