Pequot Lakes Man Accused of Breaking Wife’s 911 Phone

PEQUOT LAKES, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Staples man faces three criminal charges after allegedly breaking his wife’s cellphone while she attempted to call 911 during a domestic dispute.

Caleb Nathaniel Dillick, 30, of Staples, is charged with interfering with an emergency call, domestic assault, and fourth-degree criminal damage to property.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Crow Wing County District Court, the incident occurred October 3, 2026, at a residence on Little Walnut Lane in Pequot Lakes.

911 Hang-Up Raises Concerns

Authorities were dispatched to the residence after receiving a disconnected emergency call.

According to court documents, dispatchers could hear a man screaming for someone to leave his house.

Dispatchers were unable to reach the caller when they attempted to call back.

Officers had visited the same residence earlier that evening to serve Dillick with civil paperwork.

During that earlier visit, an officer spoke with Dillick’s wife about her safety.

The officer advised her to contact police if she felt unsafe following the delivery of divorce-related paperwork.

Officer Finds Woman Crying and Shaking

When police returned, they found Dillick’s wife sitting in a vehicle in the driveway.

According to the complaint, the woman appeared extremely upset and was crying and shaking.

She initially struggled to explain what had happened.

The woman told police that she and Dillick were married and shared three children.

While speaking with her, an officer reportedly noticed a man looking through a window in the residence’s door.

The man then moved away from the window and returned inside.

Woman Says Husband Destroyed Phone During 911 Call

During a follow-up conversation, the woman described what allegedly happened inside the home.

She said she had been sleeping on a couch when Dillick suddenly pulled a blanket away from her.

According to the complaint, he began yelling and demanding that she leave the residence.

The woman reported attempting to call 911 for assistance.

However, Dillick allegedly grabbed her cellphone and threw it, breaking the device.

She then attempted to use Dillick’s phone to contact authorities but was unsuccessful.

A Staples man faces three criminal charges after allegedly breaking his wife's cellphone while she attempted to call 911 during a domestic dispute. — A Staples man faces three criminal charges after allegedly breaking his wife’s cellphone while she attempted to call 911 during a domestic dispute.

Woman Reports Fear of Being Hit

The woman told investigators that Dillick continued yelling at her throughout the confrontation.

She reported that he shoved a couch and threw a soda can.

According to the complaint, Dillick also pushed his body against her during the argument.

The woman told police she feared he would strike or punch her.

Investigators received photographs of her damaged cellphone.

The woman estimated its value at approximately $300 to $400 and said it was no longer operational.

Three Criminal Charges Filed

Prosecutors charged Dillick with the following offenses:

Count 1: Interfering with an emergency 911 call – Gross misdemeanor.
Count 2: Domestic assault involving fear of immediate bodily harm – Misdemeanor.
Count 3: Fourth-degree criminal damage to property – Misdemeanor.

The emergency call interference charge falls under Minnesota Statute 609.78.

That charge carries a maximum possible penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

The domestic assault charge falls under Minnesota Statute 609.2242.

The property damage charge falls under Minnesota Statute 609.595.

Each misdemeanor carries a maximum possible penalty of 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.