A Cloquet man faces felony burglary charges after he allegedly attempted to break into a Cloquet home in the 1200 block of Prospect Avenue July 6. Police believe he is also linked to at least two other area burglaries on that day.
Randall Ian Washington, 29, is charged with one count of first-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree burglary, possession of a firearm by a felon, obstructing the legal process and fleeing on foot.
On July 6, Cloquet Police officers were called to a home on Prospect Avenue at 10:20 p.m. The homeowner said she heard someone trying to break into the house and after she called 9-1-1, she awakened her husband, who went outside to check the area.
Once officers learned the details of the attempted burglary, they canvassed the neighborhood and spotted Washington. Although they tried to stop and talk with him, he began running, refusing to comply with their commands.
Cloquet Police Officer Tory Cawcutt apprehended Washington after a chase ensued on foot. Washington fought with officers, who used a taser gun to restrain him, according to Cloquet Police Chief Wade Lamirande. Washington also initially denied living in the area and was wearing all-black clothing, had a pair of gloves and a flashlight at the time of the arrest, Lamirande said.
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After officers obtained a search warrant for Washington's house in the area, a female let them enter the house, where they found a Remington 30.06 with a Bushnell scope. It was determined to be one stolen from an unoccupied home earlier that day, documents said. As a convicted felon, Washington is not allowed to possess firearms.
Officers also found a glass jar in the house filled with loose change that they determined was taken from another unoccupied house earlier that evening.
Washington made a first appearance in Carlton County District Court Monday and told the judge he is not a flight risk.
"I've been here for three years," he said. "I'm not a trouble maker [although] I might have been 10 years ago."
Washington's criminal history includes convictions in California, Florida and Wisconsin. He served time in prison in California in connection with a robbery.
Carlton County District Court Judge Robert E. Macauley set Washington's bail at $4,000 but said he would remain open to the possibility of lowering that amount depending on the outcome of a meeting between Washington and probation officers.
"I can't fight these charges from inside," Washington told Macauley. "I'll lose everything and that's a lot."
Washington's next court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, July 14.
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Cloquet Police detectives urge any other potential burglary victims or anyone who witnessed suspicious behavior in the area in the past week to call them at 218-879-1247.
