A St. Paul man rammed his car into the front gate of the governor's residence Monday night before breaking down into tears and stripping to his underwear, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday.

Wondu Seifu, 42, was charged in Ramsey County District Court with one count of first-degree damage to property.

The incident occurred about 9:55 p.m. at the residence at 1006 Summit Av. in St. Paul.

According to the complaint: A State Patrol trooper working at the residence saw the vehicle drive into the gate, causing the east half to break open. The steel arm of the electric motor that operated the gate was also damaged.

The trooper confronted Seifu, who walked up the driveway. The trooper drew his weapon and ordered Seifu to show his hands. Seifu complied.

Troopers were checking Seifu for weapons when he began to cry "uncontrollably." He said he was crying because of the troopers' weapons search. He then disrobed to his underwear and told the troopers to continue their search.

"The defendant told troopers that he rammed the gate with his vehicle because he wanted to speak to the Governor," the complaint said. "He stated that he is the victim of organized crime activity."

Seifu allegedly told the troopers that his home was subject to "constant spiritual warfare attacks" because the house number is equivalent to 666, a biblical reference to the devil, and that the government had skimmed money from his paychecks.

He said he wanted to speak to the governor so he could be deported to a "free third-party country and gain asylum for religious purposes," the complaint said.

Damage to the gate was estimated at more than $1,000.

Chao Xiong