Charges: Man groped a woman after crashing into St. Paul restaurant
A 24-year-old man who police say crashed into a restaurant in St. Paul on Dec. 3 is accused of several crimes, including sexual assault and attempted carjacking.
Maximillian Morgan Fritsch, 24, of Lake Elmo, is charged with first-degree attempted aggravated robbery, second-degree assault, and fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct following a string of crimes that ended when he crashed into Los Ocampos restaurant.
According to the criminal complaint, Fritsch crashed into Los Ocampos, 615 University Ave. W., in St. Paul at 11:50 a.m. on Thursday, causing a gas leak.
Fritsch then fled the crashed vehicle, which was upside down in the restaurant, charges state. Police located Fritsch at the nearby light rail, where he was being held down by a witness.
The witness said they saw Fritsch get out of the crashed vehicle and then go up to a woman and grope her breasts, at which point the witness intervened and held him until police arrived, the complaint says.
The 52-year-old woman, who was waiting for a train when Fritsch approached, told police he ran up to her and grabbed her breasts with both hands, charges say.
Fritsch tried to run from the police, but he was taken into custody, the complaint said. He refused to identify himself, only saying he wanted to go home and listen to music.
He was taken to the hospital, with the complaint noting he had glossy, bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils, and appeared to be under the influence of something.
Officers spoke to another victim who said Fritsch knocked on the window of their vehicle while they were stopped on Dale Street in front of Los Ocampos, the complaint said. Fritsch told the driver to get out of the car before he punched them in the face and tried to pull them out of the vehicle, but their seatbelt prevented that.
Fritsch then pulled out a knife and approached the victim, who stepped on the gas. Their car door hit Fritsch, knocking him to the ground. A 10-inch knife was recovered from the victim's vehicle.
Police obtained a search warrant to get a urine or blood sample from Fritsch. Fritsch agreed to a urine sample and then told the nurse he wanted her to hold the sample cup. When he was told to hold the cup himself, he threw it and refused to provide the sample, the complaint states.
He then agreed to provide a blood sample, during which Fritsch appeared to be masturbating under a blanket, charges say. Fritsch told a nurse that prior to the crash he was looking for a girlfriend.
A blood draw was then performed after he was sedated, the complaint says. The results were not included in the criminal complaint.
Fritsch has a criminal history that includes two misdemeanor DWIs.
