District Court, Kandiyohi County
- A Willmar man was arraigned Monday on charges he stole a vehicle from Willmar in October.
According to the criminal complaint, Ryan Michael Wilkes, 34, stole a van in downtown Willmar.
Police were called to at the 500 block of Litchfield Avenue Southwest on the afternoon of Oct. 21. A 1994 van, which was used for work purposes and had tools inside, was reported stolen.
Two people said they'd seen the van and a person matching Wilkes' description. One witness said they'd seen someone matching Wilkes' description driving the van on U.S. Highway 12. Another witness said they'd seen someone matching Wlikes' description getting into the van, the complaint says.
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The vehicle was found on Oct. 25 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Inside the vehicle, police in Sioux Falls found a jacket with a Willmar Regional Treatment Center schedule for Wilkes.
On Oct. 27, police arrested Wilkes in Mitchell, S.D. on charges that he'd stolen a vehicle there.
He faces one count of theft of a motor vehicle.
His unconditional bail was set at $5,000. He can also be released on his own recognizance into the care of the Willmar Regional Treatment Center.
His next court date is set for Nov. 21.
- A New London man was arraigned Monday on charges he rammed another vehicle while driving.
According to the criminal complaint, Desmond Jon Sweep, 23, called the boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend on Oct. 8, saying he had "beef" with him.
After the phone conversation, the boyfriend left his Willmar home with his girlfriend. As he was driving, he saw Sweep begin driving behind him. Sweep's 2-year-old son was also in Sweep's vehicle, the complaint says.
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Sweep then drove up to the man's vehicle and hit the rear quarter panel, the complaint says.
The man, scared, began speeding away, but Sweep followed.
Again, Sweep rammed the man's vehicle, making it spin out of control, the complaint says.
The man regained control of his vehicle he began driving again and came to a stop sign. The man then pulled into the right turn lane of the street next to another vehicle. Sweep drove in front of both vehicles and blocked the two vehicles in, the complaint says.
The man backed away and Sweep finally left, the complaint says.
Sweep, in an interview with police, admitted to "t-boning" another vehicle which had his ex-girlfriend in it. He also admitted his 2-year-old son was in his vehicle at the time, the complaint says.
He faces two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of first-degree criminal damage to property and one count of child endangerment.
Monday, his unconditional bail was set at $28,000 bond and $2,800 cash and his conditional bail was set at $5,000 bond and $500 cash.
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His next court date is set for Nov. 21.
Fire damages room at Lower Sioux Lodge
MORTON -- A fire damaged a room in the Lower Sioux Lodge at Jackpot Junction on Monday morning.
The 276-room hotel remains open and there was only a minimal disruption in activities because of the fire, according to General Manager Travis O'Neill.
O'Neill said the fire was discovered in a sixth-floor room at approximately 6:15 a.m. Monday. The fire activated a sprinkler system in the room and the Redwood Falls Volunteer Fire Department was also summoned.
Fire damage was limited to the room itself. There was some water damage to rooms below it.
O'Neill said workers have already gutted the fire-damaged room and will soon be restoring it for use.
The Redwood Falls Police Department took two individuals into custody in connection with the fire, he said. O'Neill said it appears the fire started on a bed or possibly other furnishings in the room.
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Vandalism
WILLMAR -- A vehicle's windshield was reported damaged Tuesday morning at the 600 block of Pacific Avenue Southwest.
