A Mora man is facing charges after a couple interrupted a robbery in progress at their home in the middle of the night with three children present at the time.
Solberg
Eric Kjell Solberg, 30, was charged Nov. 15 before Judge Amy Brosnahan in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge with the following felonies: two counts of first-degree burglary with possession of dangerous weapon; second-degree burglary of a dwelling; first-degree burglary of occupied dwelling; firearm violation for felon convicted of crime of violence; and gross misdemeanor fifth-degree drug possession.
Bail was set at $50,000 without conditions or $25,000 with conditions and his next court appearance for Dec. 8.
Court records show Solberg received a stay of imposition for felony second-degree burglary of a dwelling in August 2009 in Isanti County.
The incident was reported around 1:30 a.m. Nov. 12 at a residence along the 34600 block of Hastings Street Northeast in Cambridge Township after a couple heard their dog barking and found Solberg standing in their kitchen. Solberg was arrested without incident a short time later after being located by Isanti County Deputy Jonathan Vander Vegt and his K-9 Kojak. Through the investigation, authorities learned Solberg was responsible for another burglary in the area earlier that evening.
“Burglaries while someone is in the home is not a common occurrence in Isanti County,” said Isanti County Sheriff Chris Caulk. “Since I have been sheriff, I can think of this case and one other case in Stanchfield Township where a residence was burglarized while occupied.”
Caulk said the homeowners did everything “textbook,” in this situation.
“Kudos to the female homeowner who was able to safely take a picture of the suspect while her husband confronted him in the kitchen,” Caulk said. “And kudos to the husband who got the defendant out of their home without incident. The family was calm and cool in this situation and it ended with the suspect giving up without incident.”
Caulk said he always appreciates the help from the public.
“Don’t ever put yourself in harm’s way, but in any situation where a victim can get a photo or video evidence is always helpful,” Caulk said. “As sheriff, this type of evidence is always appreciated if it can be obtained safely.”
Caulk would also like to thank the Cambridge Police Department and Braham Police Department who also responded within minutes to the scene.
According to the criminal complaint:
The male homeowner reported he was awakened by his dog barking. He went downstairs and observed Solberg using a flashlight looking through the kitchen cupboards. He confronted Solberg and told him to get out of the residence. In response, Solberg retrieved a backpack and his shoes that he left on top of the kitchen table. The male homeowner looked in the backpack to see if any of his property had been placed there. Upon looking in the backpack, he observed a handgun inside. The male homeowner zipped up the backpack and told Solberg to leave the residence.
The female homeowner reported she followed her husband part way down the stairs of the home and watched him confront Solberg. She took a picture of him with her cellphone and showed the photograph to the responding officers. Three children were sleeping in the residence during the incident.
Vander Vegt tracked Solberg with his K-9, Kojak, who located Solberg laying in the grass approximately 100 yards from the residence. In the vicinity of Solberg, officers located a backpack containing numerous items including a Ruger .22 pistol, an Apple iPod with the name “Eric Solberg” on the exterior, a high school diploma and a prescription bottle with someone else’s name, and numerous coins.
A search of Solberg revealed a syringe, a glass pipe and plastic bags. The pipe and bags tested positive for methamphetamine. Additionally, officers recovered silver antique coins, and a social security card and a hunting license in someone else’s name.
The officers determined those items were stolen from a residence several doors down from the residence of the initial call. Officers went to that residence and found the garage service door open, and the rear door to the residence open. The home was not occupied.
The officers found the interior of the home had been burglarized. Additionally, a gun safe was standing open. Contact with the homeowner was attempted and the home was secured. Investigator Rob Bowker was contacted for further investigation.
Solberg was placed under arrest and transported to the Isanti County Jail. At the jail, Sgt. Chad Meyer interviewed Solberg. Under Miranda, Solberg said earlier in the day he had shot-up what he believed was methamphetamine. Solberg said he has been a daily methamphetamine user for the past 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 years and has attempted treatment at least three times. He admitted to entering the occupied home because he was thirsty and entering the other unoccupied home because he needed to charge his cellphone.
One of the victims positively identified the following items found in Solberg’s possession as her property: Ruger .22 Mark Hunter pistol, an extensive coin collection, Social Security card, firearm safety certificate, high school diploma, Bulova watch and a glass jar full of quarters.