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[TBO]

  

 

2 charged in Duluth MN home invasion assault

The 41-year-old victim said he was attacked in his driveway in the city's Woodland neighborhood.

 

Two men from South Carolina have been formally charged in a home invasion assault that left a Duluth man with "severe" injuries.

 

Dallan Timothy Thorstenson, 23, and Martin Luther Paulk Jr., 26, were arraigned Wednesday in State District Court in Duluth on charges of kidnapping, aggravated first-degree robbery, second-degree assault and third-degree assault.

 

Police said the two men were found with BB guns and baseball bats a short time after the 41-year-old victim reported being attacked in the driveway of his home on the 200 block of St. Paul Avenue in the Woodland neighborhood around 6 p.m. Sunday.

 

According to the criminal complaint, the victim went into his garage to leave when two men attacked him. The victim, who claimed he didn't know either defendant, told authorities the men stated: "You know what you did." Officers found the victim bleeding from several injuries, including head gashes.

 

Thorstenson reached into the victim's pocket, taking his car keys and cellphones. Thorstenson then opened the trunk of the victim's vehicle and told him to get in.

 

The victim was unable to due to injuries so Thorstenson lifted the 41-year-old into the trunk, pointed a handgun at his face while threatening to shoot if the victim moved, and then closed the trunk.

 

The victim heard the two men go into the house and managed to escape the trunk to seek help at a neighbor's house. He was transported to the hospital.

 

At the time the complaint was written, the extent of the victim's injuries weren't fully known aside from a broken leg, broken arm and head wounds that required staples.

 

Earlier that day the victim told officers two men got out of a black Kia and asked if he knew someone named Marcus. The victim said he didn't know him, and the two men returned to their cars, according to the complaint.

 

Authorities got a physical description of the two men from the victim, who later confirmed their identification. Officers located Thorstenson near the scene and located a BB gun in a black Kia belonging to him. Paulk was located walking in the area of the home.

 

The victim's car had been moved from the garage to the street.

 

During investigation, officers learned the two men flew from Atlanta to Minneapolis earlier that morning, rented the black Kia and drove to Walmart to purchase two baseball bats, a BB gun that looked like a handgun, gloves and large black garbage bags before traveling to St. Paul Avenue.

 

After arriving, they went to Gander Outdoors in Hermantown to purchase Mace and attempted to purchase a handgun, but were denied. They then returned to the victim's residence.

 

Sixth Judicial District Judge Theresa Neo set bail at $300,000 for both defendants. They are due back in court on Feb. 18.

 

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After reading the above article I went to the Police Dept website, they had a press release with more info:

 

DULUTH ,MN] On 1/19/2020 shortly before 6:00 PM, Duluth Police and University of Minnesota Duluth Officers responded to the report of a home invasion robbery on the 200 Block of St. Paul Ave in the Woodland neighborhood of Duluth, MN. Upon arrival, a 41 year old male victim was located with injuries consistent with his report of being attacked in his driveway. Officers located two individuals fleeing the scene who were both positively identified by the victim. Two BB guns, baseball bats, and marijuana were located. The house, victim vehicle, and suspect vehicle were seized pending search warrant. The victim was taken to the hospital with severe, but non-life threatening injuries. Martin Luther Paulk Jr. (24) and Dallan Timothy Thorstenson (23) were both taken to St. Louis County Jail for 1st Degree Aggravated Robbery, 2nd Degree Assault, 3rd Degree Assault and Kidnapping. No other suspects are being sought. This is an active investigation and more information will be provided when available.

 

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[railfancwb]

At what point should assault charges be upgraded to attempted murder?

Sounds as though lack of money was not a major concern for the suspects. Two airplane tickets (round trip?), car rental, purchases at stores. 
 

Could it have been a purchased hit?

[willie-pete]

Have a plan to kill every person you meet.

[holyjohnson]

6 hours ago, railfancwb said:

At what point should assault charges be upgraded to attempted murder?

Sounds as though lack of money was not a major concern for the suspects. Two airplane tickets (round trip?), car rental, purchases at stores. 
 

Could it have been a purchased hit?

i`d say when they point a gun in your face and Threaten to kill you, MN Courts seem to see it Differently..

 

 

Edited January 24, 2020 by holyjohnson