Tristen Leritz charged in Vadnais Heights sexual assault; DNA match, confession cited
Tristen Alan Leritz, 21, of White Bear Township was arrested Oct. 30 on the 5100 block of Mead Road and charged Oct. 31 in Ramsey County with one count of criminal sexual conduct after a woman was tackled and assaulted near Centerville Road and Pond View Court in Vadnais Heights. Authorities say a hospital sexual-assault exam produced DNA matching Leritz, he confessed when confronted and admitted ambushing the victim after riding ahead on a bicycle, and investigators credited the victim’s actions (knocking off his glasses, biting his hand), community tips and BCA crime-lab processing for the arrest; he faces up to 30 years and has a prior 2024 motor-vehicle theft conviction and a pending 2025 burglary case.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- The suspect is Tristen Alan Leritz, 21, of White Bear Township; he was arrested Thursday, Oct. 30, on Mead Road in White Bear Township and is being held in the Ramsey County jail.
- Leritz was charged Oct. 31 in Ramsey County District Court with one felony count of criminal sexual conduct, faces up to 30 years in prison, and has a first appearance scheduled for Monday.
- The assault occurred around 8 p.m. Wednesday near Centerville Road and Pond View Court; investigators say the victim was tackled from behind, dragged off the sidewalk, strangled with a forearm and assaulted for at least 15 minutes before escaping to a nearby house and being taken to the hospital.
- During the attack the victim knocked the suspect’s glasses off and bit his hand, actions investigators later cited as crucial to the case.
- A hospital sexual-assault exam produced DNA that matched Leritz’s profile; investigators executed a search warrant after the arrest and say they obtained additional evidence.
- Sheriff’s investigators say Leritz confessed after being confronted with evidence, admitting he rode ahead on a bicycle and waited to ambush the victim.
- Sheriff Bob Fletcher credited the victim’s actions, community tips and BCA Crime Lab DNA processing for leading to the arrest and emphasized the importance of the first 48 hours of the investigation.
- Leritz has a prior 2024 motor-vehicle theft conviction (Anoka County) and a pending 2025 felony burglary case in Ramsey County with a trial scheduled for March.
đź“° Sources (4)
White Bear Township man charged in violent Vadnais Heights sexual assault
New information:
- Suspect identified as Tristen Alan Leritz, 21, of White Bear Township.
- Charged Oct. 31 with one felony count of criminal sexual conduct in Ramsey County District Court; faces up to 30 years; first appearance set for Monday.
- Hospital sexual-assault exam produced DNA that matched Leritz’s profile.
- Complaint details: victim tackled from behind on Centerville Rd., strangled with a forearm, assaulted for at least 15 minutes; victim pulled off suspect’s glasses.
- Investigators say Leritz confessed after being confronted with evidence and admitted he rode ahead on a bicycle and waited to ambush the victim.
- Prior record: 2024 motor-vehicle theft conviction (Anoka County) and pending 2025 felony burglary case in Ramsey County (trial scheduled for March).
21-year-old man arrested in Vadnais Heights sexual assault
New information:
- A 21-year-old White Bear Township man was arrested Thursday, Oct. 30, in the 1500 block of Mead Road.
- Sheriff Bob Fletcher credited community tips and BCA crime lab DNA processing for the arrest.
- Investigators executed a search warrant after the arrest and say they obtained additional evidence.
- The suspect is being held in the Ramsey County jail; formal charges are expected Friday.
- Victim’s actions (knocking off suspect’s glasses, biting his hand) and detailed description were cited as crucial to the investigation.
Man arrested in Vadnais Heights sexual assault
New information:
- Sheriff says the suspect confessed during an interview with investigators.
- Assault specifics: occurred around 8 p.m. Wednesday near Centerville Rd and Pond View Ct; suspect dragged the victim off the sidewalk.
- Victim ran to a nearby house for help and was taken to the hospital.
- Arrest detail clarified: around 11 a.m. Thursday on the 5100 block of Mead Road in White Bear Township.
- Expanded sheriff quote emphasizing the first 48 hours, the victim’s actions (knocking off glasses, biting suspect’s hand), community tips, and BCA Crime Lab DNA processing.