Rochester PD Arrests Man Suspected of Restraining Woman During Break-in

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Rochester Police have arrested a man suspected of restraining a woman during an early-morning apartment break-in. 

Police Captain Casey Moilanen said officers were dispatched to a southwest Rochester apartment building shortly after 5:20 Tuesday morning. Officers were told a man had broken into a 55-year-old woman’s apartment and that a struggle ensued. 

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Moilanen said the victim’s boyfriend told dispatchers he was following the subject towards the Waters on Mayowood Rd. Some officers went to the Waters while others responded to the apartment in the 1800 block of Restoration Rd. Southwest. 

At the apartment, the woman told police she was sleeping when she heard someone enter her apartment. She thought it was her boyfriend but then saw a man she did not recognize standing in her bedroom doorway. 

She said she screamed for help before the man came closer to her and restrained her on her bed. The victim told officers she was able to escape and said the suspect fled the apartment once she freed herself. 

Officers who responded to the Waters on Mayowood saw a man who matched the description of the suspected burglar coming out of the vestibule in front of the building. Police then arrested the suspect, identified as 41-year-old Brian Miller of Racine, MN.

Rachel Anderson a publicist with The Waters told KROC News: “Although the woman referenced in the article is not a resident at The Waters on Mayowood, our security systems were effective at ensuring the man involved was not able to gain entrance into our community. The Rochester police arrived and immediately secured the man involved to assure everyone’s safety."

Moilanen said officers suspected Miller of being under the influence of a controlled substance or experiencing a mental health crisis. A Mayo Clinic Ambulance crew responded to the arrest scene and transported Miller to St. Mary’s Hospital for evaluation. 

Moilanen says Miller was then booked into the Olmsted County Jail after being at the hospital for several hours. Miller could face charges of first-degree burglary and fifth-degree assault, Moilanen said. 

The victim was not reported to be physically injured and Moilanen said there does not appear to be a connection between the suspect and the victim. Miller is awaiting arraignment in Olmsted County Court.