Man charged after alleged knife attack

Published 2:03 pm Saturday, June 8, 2013

A 19-year-old Albert Lea man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly chased his brother with two butcher knives Wednesday and started a crib on fire in his parent’s home.

Omar Rodriguez faces charges of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, causing a negligent fire and domestic assault.

He appeared on the charges Friday in Freeborn County District Court.

Omar Rodriguez

Omar Rodriguez

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According to court documents, police were alerted to the incident at 3:09 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a report of a domestic situation at 635 E. Sixth St.

When they arrived, police met with the alleged victim, who stated that Rodriguez had locked his parents out of the house, and that when he and another brother arrived there and found it locked, one of them threw a rock through the rear door.

They reportedly told Rodriguez that he needed to leave the house before they returned and then left, according to court files.

The victim said while he was walking toward his vehicle, Rodriguez reportedly came out of the house with the two knives. He said Rodriguez tried to stab him so he ran to his vehicle parked in front, court documents stated.

When the victim was in the vehicle, Rodriguez allegedly threw the knives. The victim then reportedly got out of the car and punched Rodriguez several times and then called police.

Court documents state when police arrived, they found Rodriguez sitting on the back steps of the house, and he was transported to the emergency room for an evaluation. There was a significant amount of smoke coming from the house.

During an interview with police, Rodriguez reportedly stated he had been asleep on the couch when his two brothers reportedly broke a window in the door and told him he needed to leave the house.

Rodriguez told police he grabbed the knives to protect himself and chased his brothers away. He alleged one of the brothers reportedly hit him with a car in the left thigh, after which he threw the knives to the ground.

He also stated one of the brothers punched him in the face eight to 12 times with a closed fist.

At some point, Rodriguez said he started a fire in the crib in the master bedroom. An officer found a charred crib, a large plastic toy melted, scorch marks on the west wall, a partially burned crib mattress and black debris on the wood floor.

Officials found a small hand torch in a second floor bedroom.

Rodriguez reportedly told police on more than one occasion that he wanted to be dead and had started the fire to kill himself.

His most serious charge, of second-degree assault, carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine.