BEMIDJI, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Mahnomen man faces three felony burglary charges after allegedly entering his former girlfriend’s Bemidji apartment without permission.
Investigators say the man sent threatening text messages and damaged apartment doors after being told to stay away.
Izaiah James Asher, 25, of Mahnomen, is charged with two counts of first-degree burglary and one count of second-degree burglary.
Police Respond to Reported Apartment Break-In
According to the criminal complaint, Bemidji police responded to an apartment on Northern Cedar Avenue around 9:05 p.m. on October 21, 2026.
A woman reported that Asher was attempting to force his way into her apartment.
When an officer arrived, Asher was reportedly standing in the apartment building’s hallway with a woman.
The officer informed Asher that he would be detained.
According to court documents, Asher initially refused to cooperate.
Officers eventually detained him and placed him inside a patrol vehicle.
Woman Says Former Boyfriend Entered Without Permission
The woman told investigators that Asher had moved out of her apartment approximately one week earlier.
She said Asher was not on the lease and no longer had permission to enter the building.
According to the complaint, Asher had been staying at a hotel since moving out.
Before the incident, Asher allegedly sent text messages requesting permission to enter the apartment.
The woman repeatedly told him she would not open the door.
She later left her apartment with her dog.
When she returned, she reportedly discovered Asher inside the apartment.
The woman believed he had entered through a sliding glass patio door.
Threatening Messages Reportedly Sent
According to court documents, the woman managed to get Asher into the apartment hallway.
He allegedly continued following her as she sought help from a neighbor.
The woman eventually returned to her apartment and locked the deadbolt.
Asher reportedly began banging or kicking the front door in an attempt to enter again.
Investigators reviewed text messages allegedly sent by Asher during the confrontation.
One message reportedly stated, “Wherever you go there I am, no escape.”
Another allegedly threatened physical violence against anyone whose residence the woman entered.
Asher also reportedly asked whether she wanted things handled the hard way or easy way.
The woman told investigators she feared for her safety.
Apartment Doors Damaged During Incident
Officers documented damage to the apartment’s patio door and front entrance.
According to the complaint, the front door suffered significant damage.
Investigators believed the damage could prevent the door from closing or locking properly.
Police photographed the damaged areas as part of their investigation.
Three Felony Burglary Charges Filed
Asher faces three felony counts under Minnesota Statute 609.582.
Count 1: First-degree burglary involving an alleged assault inside a building or on its associated property.
Count 2: First-degree burglary of an occupied dwelling.
Each first-degree burglary charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $35,000 fine, or both.
The occupied-dwelling offense also carries a statutory six-month minimum incarceration requirement upon conviction.
Count 3: Second-degree burglary involving a dwelling.
That charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both.
The complaint describes threatening messages but does not detail a physical assault. The first count nevertheless alleges burglary involving assault.
The case is filed in Beltrami County District Court under number 04-CR-26-2656.
All charges remain allegations. Asher is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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