At the time, three people were inside the home. Investigators say St. Claire was not welcome there. One resident told police they believe he crawled in through a kitchen window while they were asleep. He reportedly entered a bedroom, touched people as if searching for something in the bed, and startled them awake. The residents quickly ran out of the house.
According to the complaint, St. Claire stabbed the walls with a folding knife so forcefully that the blade broke. He then used a hammer to strike the staircase, claiming a woman he knew was inside it. Police say he also tried to set the staircase on fire with a lighter, burning the carpet, before someone knocked the lighter away.
St. Claire allegedly flipped and moved furniture throughout the home. At one point, he told a witness to call the police, saying he “was not going to go out alone.”
Red River SWAT responded to the scene and remained there for hours. Around 2:40 p.m., officers detained St. Claire without further incident. No serious injuries were reported.
Prosecutors have charged him with one count of burglary with a firearm, destructive device, or other weapon. Additional charges could follow as the investigation continues. View North Dakota court updates here.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
