ESTHERVILLE – Police in this small Northern Iowa community faced three violent emergencies Thursday that resulted in a male suspect in each case finding themselves behind bars.
On February 1, 2024 at approximately 1:57 PM, Estherville Police Officers were dispatched to 318 West 5th Avenue North in reference to a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, officers were told that a suspect in the residence was damaging property and had been involved in a domestic dispute. Officers came in contact with the suspect at the house. The suspect broke a window, threatened officers on scene with a knife, and barricaded himself in the residence.
Officers attempted to get the suspect out of the house. Eventually a Crisis Negotiator from the HEAT Tactical Team arrived on scene and attempted to speak with the suspect. The suspect again threatened officers and began throwing broken glass at them. Officers requested the assistance of the HEAT Tactical Team and applied for and received both arrest and search warrants for the suspect and the residence.
Following several more attempts to get the suspect to come out of the house peacefully, using voice commands and negotiation attempts, the suspect started a fire in the entryway of the house. The HEAT Tactical Team made a forcible entry into the residence at approximately 7:47 PM, the suspect was taken into custody after a less-lethal impact weapon was deployed. The suspect received minor injuries and was transported to Avera Holy Family Hospital to be examined. The suspect was treated and released from the hospital and transported and booked into the Emmet County Jail.
The suspect identified as, 38-year-old, Andrew John Schwager of Estherville, was charged with 2-Counts of 1st Degree Harassment, both Aggravated Misdemeanors; 1-Count of Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, a Serious Misdemeanor; 1-Count of Reckless Use of Fire, a Serious Misdemeanor; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Simple Misdemeanor.
The Estherville Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Estherville Police Reserves, the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Emmet County Conservation, Estherville Fire Department, Estherville Ambulance Service, and the HEAT Tactical Team.
On the same date, at approximately, 2:29 PM, Officers were dispatched to another domestic dispute at Deer Creek Apartments. Upon arrival, Officer determined that an assault had taken place between two family members and the suspect had assaulted his son.
Officers arrested 63-year-old, Michael Robin Christensen, of Rochester, Minnesota for Domestic Assault, a Serious Misdemeanor. Christensen was booked into the Emmet County Jail without incident.
Again, at approximately 2:56 PM, Officers were dispatched to 202 South 9th Street for yet another domestic dispute. It was learned that the suspect had been involved in a dispute with a family member and pushed the victim down, causing injury.
Officers on scene arrested, 57-year-old, Fulberto Rodriguez, of Estherville. Rodriguez was charged with Domestic Assault Causing Injury, an Aggravated Misdemeanor, and booked into the Emmet County Jail, without further incident.
