East Grand Forks: Man Accused of Using Brother’s Name

EAST GRAND FORKS, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A Duluth man faces a gross misdemeanor charge after allegedly giving police his brother’s identity during an investigation.

Luke Robert Hull, 32, is accused of using his brother’s name to hide his identity from law enforcement.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Polk County District Court, the incident occurred September 13, 2026.

Investigators later discovered Hull had an outstanding felony warrant from St. Louis County.

Police Respond to Report of Shirtless Man

East Grand Forks police responded to the 1600 block of 10th Street Northeast on September 13.

Someone reported a shirtless man walking on Zavoral property and looking at machinery.

When police arrived, they located a man without a shirt who was covered in mud.

According to the complaint, the man said he was coming from Grand Forks.

He also told police he was trying to return to Douglas Place, which he had left the previous day.

When asked for identification, the man allegedly identified himself as Christian Bruce Hull.

He provided a birth date of April 21, 1996.

Police Question Man’s Identity

The officer checked the name and birth date but initially found no matching record.

Police returned to the man and asked him to confirm the information.

The man repeated the name and was warned that providing a false identity could result in jail.

According to court documents, he acknowledged the warning.

He then suggested police try 1997 as the birth year.

That information returned a valid driver’s license record with no outstanding warrants.

Police then transported the man to the former Douglas Place facility, now known as EOSIS Northern Plains.

Facility Employee Calls Man by Different Name

When they arrived, an employee told police the man was not allowed back inside the facility.

The employee also said she would bring medication to the front for someone named Luke.

When questioned about the name, the man reportedly claimed Luke was his nickname.

Police requested additional identification information to verify his identity.

According to the complaint, the man then acknowledged his actual name was Luke Hull.

He reportedly admitted Christian Hull was his brother.

Outstanding Felony Warrant Discovered

While investigating, police learned about an earlier welfare check involving Luke Hull.

The welfare check had been reported on September 11, 2026, around 11:36 p.m.

Authorities had received information that Hull walked away from the Northern Plains facility.

Police also discovered an outstanding felony warrant from St. Louis County.

Dispatch confirmed the warrant, according to the complaint.

Hull was then transported to the East Grand Forks Police Department.

Hull Allegedly Admits Giving False Name

At the police department, Hull was advised of his Miranda rights.

According to court documents, he said he understood his rights and agreed to speak with investigators.

During the interview, Hull identified himself as Luke Robert Hull.

He also allegedly admitted using his brother’s name to conceal his identity.

The complaint states Hull acknowledged that he intentionally provided the false information.

Gross Misdemeanor Charge Filed in Polk County

Prosecutors charged Hull with giving a false name to a peace officer under Minnesota Statute 609.506, subdivision 2.

The charge is classified as a gross misdemeanor.

A conviction could carry a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Those penalties represent the maximum punishment permitted under the cited law.

The complaint does not provide details about the underlying St. Louis County felony warrant.

More information about the offense is available through Minnesota Statute 609.506.

Polk County Court Case Information

The criminal case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 60-CR-26-1344.

The prosecutor’s file number is GM-26-067.

Public court records can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The allegations remain subject to the court process.

Hull is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.