David Richard Engelbert is accused of making threats against his girlfriend and a household member on October 7, 2026.<\/p>\n
According to a Polk County criminal complaint, Engelbert allegedly threatened to set the family’s home on fire and kill everyone inside.<\/p>\n
The children’s mother was at work when she received the reported threats.<\/p>\n
Police say she contacted authorities because she feared for her children’s safety.<\/p>\n
Mother Reports Threats Against Nine Children<\/h2>\n
Crookston police received a report of threats around 9:15 p.m. on October 7.<\/p>\n
The caller, identified in court documents as M.T., reported receiving a threatening telephone call from Engelbert.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, Engelbert allegedly threatened to burn her house with her nine children inside.<\/p>\n
M.T. told dispatch she was working and did not know Engelbert’s whereabouts.<\/p>\n
She reported that the threatening call occurred only minutes before she contacted police.<\/p>\n
An officer called M.T. and reported that she was crying and sounded distressed.<\/p>\n
She said Engelbert had repeatedly called her workplace phone and made threatening statements.<\/p>\n
Children Were Home While Mother Worked<\/h2>\n
According to court documents, M.T.’s nine children were at home during the reported threats.<\/p>\n
The oldest child, identified as D.E., was watching the younger children.<\/p>\n
After receiving the alleged threats, M.T. contacted D.E. to warn him.<\/p>\n
She wanted him to know about the situation in case he needed to call police.<\/p>\n
Investigators later contacted D.E. by telephone.<\/p>\n
He reported that Engelbert was not at the residence, as far as he knew.<\/p>\n
D.E. also confirmed that M.T. had told him about the threats.<\/p>\n
He told officers he would call 911 if Engelbert arrived.<\/p>\n
Woman Describes Fear Over Alleged Threats<\/h2>\n
During her conversation with investigators, M.T. described growing concerns about Engelbert’s behavior.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, she said Engelbert had made similar threats before.<\/p>\n
She also alleged that he sometimes broke objects in front of her to frighten her.<\/p>\n
M.T. reportedly told investigators Engelbert had been staying with her and the children in Crookston.<\/p>\n
She said she could not predict whether he would carry out the alleged threats.<\/p>\n
The woman also reported that gasoline might be stored in the garage.<\/p>\n
She told officers Engelbert smoked cigarettes and had access to lighters.<\/p>\n
Those details increased her concern about the reported threat to set the home on fire.<\/p>\n
The complaint does not state that a fire was started or that anyone was injured.<\/p>\n
Earlier Incident Involved Attempted Entry<\/h2>\n
The October allegations followed an earlier police response involving Engelbert and the same household.<\/p>\n
On August 17, 2026, Crookston police investigated a report that Engelbert threatened to kick down a residential door.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, a woman identified as L.L. contacted authorities about that incident.<\/p>\n
While speaking with an officer, she reportedly became frightened and said Engelbert had arrived.<\/p>\n
She alleged he was attempting to kick in the front door.<\/p>\n
Another household member also contacted dispatch to report the situation.<\/p>\n
Police responded and arrested Engelbert for disorderly conduct.<\/p>\n
Previous Court Restrictions Were Modified<\/h2>\n
Engelbert appeared in Polk County District Court on August 18 regarding the earlier disorderly conduct charge.<\/p>\n
According to the new complaint, he was released under several conditions.<\/p>\n
Those conditions initially prohibited contact with certain household members and entry into their residence.<\/p>\n
However, the defense later requested changes to the restrictions.<\/p>\n
On September 2, a judge granted the request to remove the no-contact and trespass conditions.<\/p>\n
The October threats investigation occurred after those restrictions had been modified.<\/p>\n
Two Felony Threats of Violence Charges Filed<\/h2>\n
Prosecutors charged Engelbert with two counts of felony threats of violence.<\/p>\n
The charges identify M.T. and D.E. as separate alleged victims.<\/p>\n
Both counts fall under Minnesota Statute 609.713, subdivision 1.<\/p>\n
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n
These are maximum statutory penalties, not sentences imposed by the court.<\/p>\n
The complaint also lists several previous convictions involving Engelbert.<\/p>\n
Those include prior assault, harassment, property damage, and disorderly conduct offenses.<\/p>\n
The previous convictions are separate from the new felony allegations.<\/p>\n
Readers can review Minnesota’s threats of violence statute<\/a>.<\/p>\n The new case is filed in Polk County District Court within Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.<\/p>\n The court file number is 60-CR-26-1487.<\/p>\n The prosecutor’s file number is F-26-188.<\/p>\n The complaint includes an order of detention but does not establish Engelbert’s current custody status.<\/p>\n The earlier disorderly conduct case is listed under court number 60-CR-26-1203.<\/p>\n No final outcome for the new felony charges was included in the supplied complaint.<\/p>\n Additional court information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n The charges remain allegations. Engelbert is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\nPolk County Court Proceedings<\/h2>\n
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