Man strangled, held woman against her will inside his Sartell apartment, charges state

A man is in custody and faces multiple criminal charges after allegedly strangling a romantic partner and holding her against her will inside his apartment in Sartell, Minnesota.

The 45-year-old suspect was charged with one count each of making threats of violence, false imprisonment and domestic assault by strangulation, according to court documents filed Friday in Stearns County.

The criminal complaint states Sartell police officers responded to an apartment off Seventh Street North, across the street from Riverview Intermediate School, after a 911 call from the victim's ex-fiancé who lives in Arizona.

The man told police the victim had called him via Facetime to say the suspect "was intoxicated" and was assaulting her and refusing to let her leave. A rideshare driver also called 911 to report the victim had ordered a ride, but texted to say she was being held against her will, according to the criminal complaint.

Officers encountered the man and the woman standing in the apartment's entryway. The woman was able to run to safety. Police say they gave the man commands, but he retreated into the apartment. Shortly afterwards, he attempted to flee by jumping from a third-story window. 

Police were able to quickly apprehend him. He received minor injuries from the jump. 

Court documents state the victim told investigators she had broken up with her fiancé and came to Minnesota to visit the suspect. But she arrived in Sartell, she was "surprised" the suspect "was drinking as much as he was."

The victim said she then went to the bathroom to call her ex-fiancé, but the suspect then "took her phone away after forcing his way" inside. The complaint states the suspect then allegedly threatened to shoot her, implying a plastic case he had held a firearm, though he never pulled it out.

The victim said the suspect then "lifted" her "off the ground with her feet dangling," court documents state.

The suspect also has an arrest warrant out of Stearns County for allegedly fleeing law enforcement in a car. If convicted in Friday's case, he could face up to 11 years in prison.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-800-799-SAFE or Minnesota Day One at 1-866-223-1111.