Two Pelican Rapids Men Charged in Kidnapping, Robbery Case
PELICAN RAPIDS, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — Two Pelican Rapids men are facing serious felony charges after allegedly kidnapping one man and assaulting another during a violent home invasion tied to a liquor theft dispute.
According to the Otter Tail County Attorney’s Office, 28-year-old Alberto Ramirez and 22-year-old Jose Blandon-Rivera were arrested over the weekend following an incident on Saturday, October 19.
At about 7:30 a.m., Pelican Rapids Police were called to a reported break-in at an apartment. Officers found a man who had been assaulted and told police several unmasked men entered while he was asleep. One attacker punched him while another pulled his sweatshirt tight around his neck, restricting his breathing. The suspects reportedly took the victim’s phone and a bottle of liquor before fleeing.
The victim said he believed the attack was revenge for a stolen bottle of alcohol from a local liquor store, which had posted photos of both roommates on Facebook.
Police later interviewed the second victim, who said he was abducted from a house party earlier that night. He told investigators the men forced him into a vehicle and demanded to be taken to his apartment “to take care of the stealing.” During the drive, Ramirez allegedly pulled a gun from the center console and threatened him.
Once at the apartment, the men used the victim’s keys to enter, where the second assault occurred. Court documents say the group took his wallet, ID, and cell phone.
Through victim statements, investigators identified Ramirez and Blandon-Rivera as suspects. Ramirez reportedly admitted he confronted the victim to recover stolen money for the liquor store and acknowledged going to the apartment to collect the remaining cash.
Both men are charged with kidnapping to facilitate a felony, first-degree burglary, first-degree aggravated robbery, and aiding and abetting those crimes. They made their first court appearances on Tuesday morning in Otter Tail County District Court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
