11/01/2026
🚪 South Haven Man Allegedly Pried Patio Door As Two Hid In Closet, Ditched Halloween Mask, Pry Bars - $50k Bail - St. Augusta
Article: https://thewatchmn.com/2026/10/22/man-charged-with-attempted-first-degree-burglary-st-augusta-stearns-county/
đź“Ť On Oct. 15, 2026, Stearns County sheriff's deputies were sent to a residence in St. Augusta on a report of an attempted entry, according to the complaint.
Victim 2 told officers he believed JOSEPH LEE ANDERSON, 48, of South Haven, was trying to break into Victim 1's residence. He said he saw a man similar in build to Joseph, wearing a dark sweatshirt with the hood up, on the balcony.
Victim 2 said he locked himself in his room and hid in a closet with Victim 3. ‼️ The noise eventually stopped, and the door was open when he ran to let police in.
đź“Ť Officers learned Joseph had been trespassed from the residence and had been cited twice for returning, on Aug. 26 and Sept. 26, 2026, the complaint states. The sliding patio door had pry marks, and its locking mechanism had been broken and pulled from the door jamb. Officers found a coffee cup on the patio.
đź“Ť Surveillance footage allegedly showed Joseph buying a large coffee matching the cup, along with a lighter, while wearing a dark sweatshirt. The footage reportedly shows him walking from the gas station toward the apartment complex carrying a bag, then returning without it and appearing frantic.
In the gas station's dumpster, officers found a bag that allegedly held photos of Victim 1 and Joseph, a Halloween mask, a blue-handled screwdriver, two red pry bars, three rusted tools and a can of WD-40. An investigator determined the pry marks matched the screwdriver, which had a bent tip, according to the complaint.
đź“Ť Officers searched for Joseph, and he allegedly fled from law enforcement in Wright County, where nine fi****ms and controlled substances were found in his vehicle. He was arrested after a targeted effort by police.
Joseph first said he was in Sauk Centre at the time, the complaint states. He later allegedly admitted going to the residence because he wanted to reconnect with Victim 1, but denied entering it.
đź“Ť Joseph is charged with felony attempted first-degree burglary of an occupied dwelling. Bail was set at $100,000 without conditions, or $50,000 with conditions.
