Charges of second-degree burglary and felony criminal damage to property are pending against a Carlton County man for breaking into and vandalizing his father's house in Cloquet.
According to Det. Darrin Berg of the Cloquet Police Department, the homeowners went out for the evening on June 4, returning home about 9:30 p.m. to discover the front door had been kicked in and the interior of their house had been completely vandalized.
Cloquet police responded to the scene, where Berg said they found the kitchen shelves had been pulled off the wall, the refrigerator and stove had been tipped over, the china had been smashed and the washer and dryer had been pulled out of the wall, resulting in extensive water damage to the basement.
"The place was a complete disaster," Berg said.
Cloquet police officers photographed the scene and searched the area for clues to the identity of the perpetrator. Berg said at that time the homeowner informed him he had gotten into an argument earlier in the day with his 27-year-old son, and he suspected the son might have been responsible for the break-in and vandalism.
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Berg said later that evening the homeowner's son came to the Cloquet Police Department asking to speak to an officer and claiming injuries to his hand and ankle. Berg said officers reported him to be "bleeding and seemingly disoriented" and transported him to Community Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Berg said while at the hospital, the son admitted to the vandalism at his father's home. Berg said blood had been discovered at the scene, and if necessary, DNA samples could be obtained to corroborate the identity of the vandal.
Berg said preliminary damage estimates for the destruction total about $10,000. The Carlton County Attorney's Office is reviewing the charges.
