Vadnais Heights, Minnesota – A 21-year-old Minnesota man has been charged after allegedly attacking and sexually assaulting a woman on her evening walk, an assault so violent the victim believed she was going to die, according to law enforcement officials.
Attack in Quiet Suburb Turns Violent
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office said the incident occurred around 8 p.m. on October 28 in the 1000 block of Pond View Court in Vadnais Heights, a suburb of Minneapolis.
The 51-year-old victim was walking and talking to her friend on the phone when she was suddenly tackled from behind by a man later identified as Tristen Alan Leritz, 21.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Leritz ordered the woman not to scream. In a desperate attempt to get help, she shouted to her friend to call 911, fought back, and even grabbed Leritz’s glasses and threw them into the grass.
“Cars drove by, but nobody stopped,” investigators wrote. “She yelled for help.”
Victim Believed She Would Die
Police say Leritz, described as 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 248 pounds, held the woman down, pressing his forearm across her neck and cutting off her breathing.
“She was unable to breathe,” the affidavit stated. “She believed she was going to die.”
The victim told police that Leritz then sexually assaulted her for 15 to 30 minutes before casually walking away.
The woman ran to a nearby home to seek help. When deputies arrived, they found her shaking, with leaves in her hair, a red abrasion on her throat, and cuts on her face.
DNA Evidence and Family Tip Lead to Arrest
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) conducted DNA testing that led to a match for Tristen Alan Leritz.
Authorities said that when family members heard about the glasses knocked off during the attack, they contacted police — a key detail that confirmed Leritz as the suspect, according to WCCO-TV.
Leritz was taken into custody and read his Miranda rights. Initially, he denied any involvement in the assault, but after being confronted with DNA evidence and witness statements, he admitted to the crime, police said.
Disturbing Confession
According to investigators, Leritz confessed that he was riding his bicycle when he noticed the woman walking alone. He allegedly told police that he thought to himself, “F— it, since I’m a virgin,” before deciding to follow her.
After watching her for several minutes, he waited for her to pass by, then attacked. “It escalated from there … my stupid urges took control,” Leritz reportedly told investigators.
He admitted that he “fully raped her” before riding his bicycle home.
Prior Record and Upcoming Court Date
Court records show that Leritz has a previous conviction for motor vehicle theft and currently faces a pending robbery charge.
He is now being held in the Ramsey County Jail on charges of criminal sexual conduct. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 25.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
The assault has deeply shaken residents of Vadnais Heights, a typically quiet community north of St. Paul. Many locals have expressed fear and anger, calling for stronger neighborhood safety measures and more street lighting in residential areas.
Police are urging residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity, particularly in less-traveled areas.
Call for Community Support
Authorities are continuing their investigation and say more details may emerge as the case proceeds in court.
Anyone with information about the assault or about Tristen Leritz’s activities on October 28 is asked to contact the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.
Share your thoughts, reactions, and safety suggestions in the comments below — your voice matters in keeping neighborhoods safer.
