Fridley man wakes to shotgun, punches in face

The victim said burglars claimed that his 17-year-old brother owed them money.

By Jim Adams, Star Tribune

Last update: May 16, 2008 - 11:49 PM

A 20-year-old Fridley man woke up early Friday to burglars punching him in the face, leveling a shotgun at him and demanding money, authorities said.

The victim's father heard a disturbance and called police shortly before 4 a.m. to report burglars in his home in the 5700 block of Washington St. NE., said Capt. James Stewart of the Anoka County Sheriff's office. The 20-year-old told police that the two burglars awoke him demanding: "Where's the money?"

The victim said the burglars claimed that his 17-year-old brother owed them money. They took a lap top computer, cell phone, sports jerseys and an X-Box video game, Stewart said. He said he didn't know why the burglars didn't look for the younger brother, who was also home, as was the boys' mother.

Police found the pair and a third man in a nearby car with the stolen items inside, Stewart said. All three are being held in the county jail, pending charges.