Thief River Falls Pair Charged in Wrench Assault

THIEF RIVER FALLS (trfnews.i234.me) — Two residents face felony charges after two men were allegedly attacked with a wrench.

The reported assault happened Friday afternoon inside a Thief River Falls home.

Police received the report at about 4:24 p.m., according to the criminal complaints.

Frank Haben, 22, has been charged with four felony counts.

The complaints list two first-degree burglary charges and two second-degree assault charges.

Anna Yenta Faye Erickson, 21, faces one felony charge.

She is charged with aiding and abetting first-degree burglary.

Both defendants were arrested following the incident.

Men Allegedly Struck With a Wrench

One man told police he was watching television with his girlfriend.

Haben allegedly entered the home without warning and struck him with a wrench.

The man believed he was struck two or three times.

His cousin entered the room and helped restrain Haben, according to the complaint.

The cousin was also allegedly struck in the head with the wrench.

An officer reportedly saw blood on the first man’s face after arriving.

The specific address was not listed in the complaints.

Erickson allegedly told police she traveled with Haben to confront the man.

She said Haben brought the wrench as protection, according to the complaint.

She reportedly said Haben concealed the wrench inside his sleeve.

The pair then rushed into the home, the complaint alleges.

Erickson allegedly removed the wrench afterward and placed it inside Haben’s vehicle.

Haben reportedly said he feared his former girlfriend was being abused.

The woman denied being assaulted by the man, according to the complaint.

Haben allegedly admitted to starting the fight and swinging the wrench.

The charges are accusations and do not establish guilt.

Both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Case information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

Minnesota law concerning burglary is available through the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.

The state’s second-degree assault law is listed under Minnesota Statute 609.222.

No final court outcome was included in the material provided for this report.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.