Crookston Man Charged After Bridge Attack Breaks Ribs

CROOKSTON, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A 59-year-old Crookston man faces a felony assault charge after another man suffered several broken ribs.

Dean Phillip Lamke is accused of attacking a man on a bridge near Oak Court in Crookston.

According to a Polk County criminal complaint, the alleged assault occurred August 17, 2026.

The injured man later received hospital treatment for multiple rib fractures.

Victim Reports Being Attacked While Walking to Work

The investigation gained new attention on August 23 when a driver approached a Crookston police officer.

The driver, identified as M.C., reported taking his brother to the hospital.

According to court documents, his brother had been assaulted several days earlier.

The injured man, identified as A.C., told police he was walking to work when the incident happened.

He said he was heading toward Captain Crooks, where he worked.

A.C. alleged that another man suddenly struck him near a bridge close to Oak Court.

He identified the alleged attacker as Dean Phillip Lamke.

Police Review Earlier Assault Report

Investigators learned that the incident had already been reported on August 17.

According to the complaint, the original report was made around 5:20 a.m.

Officers reviewed records from that earlier police response.

The records showed that an Oak Court housing coordinator had identified Lamke as the alleged attacker.

Investigators also reviewed security footage from Oak Court.

The video reportedly showed Lamke and A.C. near the property around the time of the confrontation.

Security Video Shows Confrontation Near Bridge

According to the criminal complaint, officers reviewed footage recorded during the early morning hours.

The recording reportedly showed Lamke and A.C. meeting on the bridge around 5:34 a.m.

Investigators described the footage as showing the assault taking place.

The complaint does not provide a detailed description of every action captured on camera.

The video became part of the evidence supporting the felony allegation.

Hospital Records Confirm Multiple Broken Ribs

Investigators also obtained medical records documenting A.C.’s injuries.

According to court documents, A.C. visited a Crookston emergency room on August 23.

The medical records identified multiple fractures involving ribs on the left side of his body.

The report also noted that he did not have a collapsed lung.

Investigators believe the injuries resulted from the August 17 confrontation.

A.C. reportedly told police he expected to miss four to eight weeks of work.

The injuries form the basis of the substantial bodily harm allegation.

Previous Assault Convictions Listed

The complaint also outlines several previous convictions involving Lamke.

According to court records, Lamke was convicted of fifth-degree assault on June 25, 2025.

The complaint also lists a harassment conviction from November 2022.

Another previous conviction involved felony fourth-degree assault in July 2019.

Investigators additionally identified a felony criminal damage to property conviction from December 2020.

These earlier convictions are separate from the new felony assault charge.

Felony Third-Degree Assault Charge Filed

Prosecutors charged Lamke with third-degree assault involving substantial bodily harm.

The charge falls under Minnesota Statute 609.223, subdivision 1.

Under Minnesota law, substantial bodily harm includes certain injuries causing significant impairment or fractures.

The complaint alleges Lamke intentionally assaulted A.C. and caused substantial bodily harm.

A conviction could carry up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

Those penalties represent statutory maximums, not a sentence imposed in this case.

Readers can review Minnesota’s third-degree assault statute.

Polk County Court Proceedings

The criminal case is filed in Polk County District Court within Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

The court file number is 60-CR-26-1436.

The prosecutor’s file number is F-26-179.

The complaint lists August 23 as the offense date, while the alleged assault is described as occurring August 17.

The supplied complaint was issued with a warrant but does not establish its current status.

No final court outcome or sentencing information was included in the provided record.

Additional case details may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The felony charge remains an allegation. Lamke is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.