Deputies Capture Rochester Man Wanted In Attempted Power Drill Stabbing Case

Rochester, MN (RochesterNow)- A Rochester man who was wanted for an incident involving an attempted stabbing with a power drill has been captured. 

Read More: Warrant Issued for Man Charged in Rochester Drill Attack

Authorities issued an arrest warrant earlier this week for 46-year-old Charles Andrew Tewes after he failed to show up for a pretrial hearing in his case.

Olmsted County Court records indicate he was arrested on the warrant by the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office around 10 a.m. Thursday. 

Man Charged in Rochester Apartment Burglary Involving Alleged Attempted Stabbing With Drill

Tewes is charged with two counts of first-degree burglary, including one involving the assault of a person, and a misdemeanor assault charge. He was released without bail following his first court appearance in the case. 

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The case stems from an alleged burglary incident at a northwest Rochester apartment that occurred in March of 2024. The victim told Rochester police that Tewes was drilling screws into the door of his residence. 

He opened the door and saw Tewes standing in the doorway with a drill in his hand. Tewes then entered the man’s apartment and tried to stab the victim with the drill bit in the chest and neck area, the charges say. 

See Also: One Child Killed, Another Critically Injured in Twin Cities Mini Bike-Vehicle Collision 

The man said he was able to push Tewes into the hallway and that Tewes took off on foot. Tewes was then seen on surveillance cameras running down a stairwell at the same time as the 911 call was placed by the victim, according to the court document.

Another video shows Tewes entering his own apartment carrying a drill, which was later found during a search of his apartment that also led to the discovery of screws that matched those found in the victim's door, the complaint says. 

Apprehended in Parking Lot

Police apprehended Tewes in the parking lot at the apartment building. He initially denied having contact with the victim on the day of the attack and denied trying to screw the victim's apartment door shut, but he later told police that the victim threw a board at him while he was walking past the man's apartment, according to the complaint.

Tewes is due to make a court appearance Friday morning. His trial is scheduled to start on Monday.