AITKIN — Two men taken into custody Sept. 22 following a burglary in progress in Aitkin County now face criminal charges for the crime.
The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota State Patrol responded to a report of a burglary in progress in Clark Township and found several campers were broken into. Deputies checked the area and located the suspect vehicle at a nearby address. Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle; the vehicle failed to stop and continued for a short distance before both occupants fled on foot into a wooded area.
Aitkin County’s K-9 Loki located and apprehended one of the suspects, identified as Nicholas Timothy Bassett, 32, of McGregor. Sheriff’s deputies took the second suspect, Andrew Julius Torgerson, 33, of Walker, into custody with the assistance of K-9 Loki and a report from a concerned citizen.
According to court records, both men were charged Sept. 24 in Aitkin County District Court. Bassett faces three felonies — two counts of being a felon in possession of ammunition and second-degree burglary — and misdemeanors of theft and fleeing a peace officer in a vehicle. Torgerson was charged with three felonies — second-degree burglary, theft and fleeing a peace officer in a vehicle — and misdemeanors of theft and fleeing a peace officer in a vehicle.
The next court appearance for both men is Oct. 5.
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The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office is asking property owners to check their buildings for signs of forced entry and missing property. People are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the sheriff’s office at 218-927-7400.
