MANKATO — The suspect in a robbery and assault Friday at the River Hills Mall has been charged.
Jason Tyler Dulitz, 31, of Mankato, faces felonies for simple robbery, second-degree assault and harassment, plus a gross misdemeanor for harassment and a misdemeanor for fifth-degree assault in Blue Earth County District Court.
A criminal complaint alleges Dulitz punched a mall security officer in the face Friday evening before taking a winch crank handle from the officer. The security officer and a colleague had told Dulitz it was time to leave the mall because it was closed after a group of teenagers told the officer Dulitz was chasing them.
The second officer got in between Dulitz and the other officer, leading to Dulitz pushing her. Both officers ran away into a business.
Dulitz reportedly threatened others with the crank handle before dropping it upon being ordered to do so.
The initial court appearance for Dulitz is scheduled for Feb. 13.