CHARGES: He Stabbed Woman in Aitkin, Carjacked Another On-The-Run
A 33-year-old man has been charged after a violent assault and carjacking left one woman with serious injuries Wednesday in Aitkin County.
Police responded to a residence on First Street Northwest in Aitkin on Feb. 12, 2025, after getting reports that a woman there had been stabbed.
When officers arrived, they found the 41-year-old female victim with multiple stab wounds, including injuries to her face and arm.
Authorities say the suspect, identified as Matthew Dean Liimatainen, of Aitkin, repeatedly stabbed the woman before fleeing the scene. A second woman, who was present during the attack, attempted to intervene and sustained minor injuries. She later told police she saw Liimatainen grab a knife before he charged at the victim. She initially believed he was punching the victim until she noticed the large amount of blood.
After the attack, Liimatainen allegedly took the second woman’s phone to prevent her from calling 911, then forcibly stole her vehicle. She attempted to stop him by clinging to the running board but was pushed off onto the roadway.
Aitkin police say the stabbing victim was air-lifted to HCMC and is recovering in stable condition as of Friday afternoon. The second victim, a 60-year-old female, of Esko, had minor injuries and was transported to Riverwood Healthcare Center and released shortly after. Both of the victims are known to Liimatainen, police said.
An alert was issued for the stolen Ford F-150, and authorities from multiple agencies searched for Liimatainen. He was taken into custody hours later and more than 120 miles to the south, in White Bear Township. Liimatainen admitted to officers that he had used methamphetamine and ecstasy earlier in the day, the documents say. When officers attempted to collect DNA evidence under a search warrant, he allegedly punched a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agent.
PREVIOUSLY: Stabbing Suspect Apprehended After Fleeing Aitkin County
Liimatainen has been charged with multiple felonies including first-degree assault causing great bodily harm, first-degree carjacking with a dangerous weapon and motor vehicle theft. He also faces gross misdemeanor charges of domestic assault, assault on a peace officer and interfering with a 911 call. Court records indicate he has a prior conviction for violating an order for protection in 2020.
The most serious charges—first-degree assault causing great bodily harm and first-degree carjacking—both carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.
He has other previous convictions in Minnesota for first-degree arson, felony theft, credit card fraud, assault, fleeing police, felon in possession of a firearm and escape from custody.
Liimatainen made an initial court appearance on Friday, where bail was set at $1 million.
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