Man Arrested in Connection to Violent Home Invasion and Assault in Clearwater

(KNSI) — A Benton County man has been arrested after a violent home invasion and assault in Clearwater.

According to the criminal complaint, just before 1:00 p.m. on February 13th, a woman called 911 to report a home invasion and burglary in progress. She explained she heard her dad screaming for help and found him wrestling with an intruder.

The homeowner said he heard the patio door open and saw two men dressed entirely in black make their way toward his bedroom. He confronted them as they walked out onto the deck and grabbed one of them as they tried to jump over the railing. The fight was on, and they made their way back inside the house when the other burglar came in and began assaulting the man. While they were struggling, he grabbed an object and tried to stab one of them before they ran out.

A neighbor also heard the yelling and called 911. He told dispatchers he was following the getaway car and gave them specific details about the vehicle, including the license plate number.

Court papers say Wright County investigators checked the number and found the car registered to Ethan Weckman, who lives in Oak Park, about halfway between Foley and Milaca. They contacted the Benton County Sheriff’s Department to conduct a vehicle check at Weckman’s house.

A deputy went to the address and found the car with Weckman standing outside. Once he noticed the deputy, he ran into the house and refused to come out. Several agencies, including the Stearns/Benton County SWAT team, were called to the house for a standoff. Just after 7:45 that night, they went into the home and took Weckman into custody.

A statement was taken from a woman who said she was with Weckman earlier that day when he picked up two friends by the name of Shawn and “Zay” in Big Lake. The four of them went to Clearwater, and she stayed in the car while the three got out and came back later with Shawn being “visibly injured”. She told investigators Weckman dropped off Shawn and “Zay” and went back to his house where a Benton County deputy was waiting.

In a sworn statement, Weckman admitted to driving the others to the house in Clearwater for the sole purpose of Shawn’s intent to assault the man’s daughter. He said he got out of the car with the other two and went to the house, then heard the confrontation and went back to the car, picked up Shawn and “Zay,” and fled the scene.

Weckman is charged with conspiracy to commit first degree burglary and aiding and abetting first degree burglary, both of which are felonies. Unconditional bail has been set at $200,000. He is due back in court on February 24th.

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