Chaska man arrested in man's beating death

The Chaska man apparently had tried to sell crack cocaine to Duane Viggo Sorensen and two others, said Capt. James Steward of the Anoka County Sheriff's office.

Star Tribune

Last update: March 18, 2008 - 11:13 PM

Police have arrested a Chaska man in the beating death of a 62-year-old man who had been staying at a Fridley inn.

Duane Viggo Sorensen was unresponsive and bleeding from the mouth when police arrived shortly after midnight on Thursday. He died that afternoon at Unity Hospital in Fridley, said Capt. James Stewart of the Anoka County Sheriff's office.

He said the suspect, who was arrested Monday night, apparently had tried to sell crack cocaine to Sorensen and two others staying at the LIVINN Suites at 5201 Central Ave. in Fridley.

The suspect was booked on second-degree murder and aggravated robbery. Charges may be filed today against him and a 26-year-old Columbia Heights woman arrested for helping him avoid arrest, Stewart said.

He said the suspect came to the room where Sorensen, another man and a woman had been drinking heavily. A fight broke out, Sorensen was knocked out and the woman punched in the face. The suspect stole some items and left. Sorensen died from blunt force injuries, Stewart said.

JIM ADAMS

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