Luverne man faces multiple assault charges

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LUVERNE — A Luverne man is behind bars after allegedly assaulting three men, including a Rock County deputy.

Charges were filed Monday against Daniel Lee Ronan, 23. He faces three counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of fourth-degree assault against a peace officer and three counts of fifth-degree assault-inflict of attempt bodily harm.

The complaint states a Rock County deputy was dispatched to the 100 block of West Mead Court shortly before 3 a.m. Friday to investigate a report of a fight. Upon arrival, he found no fight, but did find a man who said he had been involved in an altercation with Ronan.

While at the trailer park, another man asked to speak to him. Both men said they had tried to get Ronan to leave, which sparked the fight between them.

One man said earlier that night Ronan had fought with a third man. Two men allegedly broke up the fight, but later, when they asked Ronan to leave, Ronan continued to be aggressive and agitated.

One of them was reportedly wrestling on the porch with Ronan when the other saw Ronan holding some kind of metal bar over his victim’s head, allegedly hitting him with the object. When the other tried to break up the fight, he was also hit with the metal object.

They broke free and started walking away when Ronan allegedly jumped them from behind and hit one of them again. When the lights from the squad car became visible, Ronan ran.

Shortly before 6 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting Ronan was back at their door, trying to get in. Authorities found him at the trailer. He took off running when informed he was under arrest.

The deputy chased Ronan back to his parents’ trailer, where he opened a door, releasing four pit bulls. Ronan was wrestled to the ground, then grabbed on to the deputy’s shirt, refusing to let go until the deputy was forced to punch him to get him to comply.

During the struggle, the deputy noticed a stinging sensation in his left arm. While subduing the man, the deputy confiscated a small screwdriver, then realized Ronan had allegedly stabbed him in the arm with it.

The deputy also confiscated three metal cylinders that matched the description the other victims had given of the weapon they had been assaulted with.

Even after being handcuffed, Ronan continued to resist arrest and had to be physically loaded into an ambulance.

Both the deputy and Ronan were treated at a hospital and released before Ronan was brought to jail.

Bail was set at $25,000. His next court appearance has not yet been scheduled.

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