Rochester Man Charged for Brutal Assault of Amputee at Central Towers Apartment

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A homeless Rochester man is facing multiple charges for an alleged assault that left an amputee severely injured. 

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The criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court on Wednesday, indicates the victim was beaten by his family member. Rochester police responded to the alleged assault on the morning of August 28. 

Officers took the suspected assailant into custody on Monday. Court records indicate the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office is seeking an aggravated sentence in the case. 

Homeless Man Charged for Assault at Downtown Rochester Apartment That Left Amputee With Severe Injuries

20-year-old Tongol Pal Ruach of Rochester is charged with first-degree assault, third-degree assault and first-degree aggravated robbery. 

Responding officers found the victim laying on the floor of his apartment at Central Towers, located at 200 1st Ave. NW in downtown Rochester. 

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The charges say the victim’s mouth was bloody and that it appeared he had teeth knocked out. Officers also found blood throughout the residence and indicated the apartment appeared to be in disarray. 

The victim was able to speak with officers and told them Ruach had been in the apartment about 30 minutes prior to the officers arrival. He said Ruach had hit him in the head and midsection multiple times before he lost consciousness, the charges say. 

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The man also told police he had kicked  Ruach out of the residence and that Ruac hhad been threatening him. He later told police that he found Ruach waiting outside of his apartment’s door on the morning of the assault, the complaint says. 

The victim said Ruach demanded a tax return and made multiple demands for money before striking the victim, according to the court document.  

First responders transported the victim, who has one leg and was unable to move, to the emergency department. Ruach also took the victim’s wallet and phone, the complaint says.

The charges say the victim lost vision in his left eye following the assault and that his care team is working to prevent him from losing vision in his right eye.

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Following his arrest, Ruach told officers that he had been financially assisting the victim and that he went to the victim's home where the two got into an argument over money. 

Ruach said the confrontation turned physical, the complaint says. Ruach is scheduled to make his first court appearance Thursday morning.