Halloween Nightmare: Man Faces Murder, Kidnapping Charges After Violent Spree
Charging documents shed new light on a string of violence that began Halloween night near Brainerd and left a 62-year-old man fatally shot, a home set ablaze and a mother and her four children abducted.
The suspect, Chad Aaron Aanerud, 35, of Brainerd, is now facing a dozen felony charges in connection with the crime spree including second-degree murder, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, arson and assault.
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It spanned several hours and multiple scenes, eventually ending with Aanerud’s arrest the next morning after a statewide AMBER Alert was issued.
According to court documents, on Thursday, Oct. 31, Aanerud allegedly argued with his girlfriend, Nikkole Dobson, 33, at her residence on Loerch Road, about 15 miles northeast of Brainerd, in Crow Wing County.
Witnesses said that during the argument, Aanerud threatened Dobson with a firearm, demanding sexual acts under the threat of shooting her children if she refused. After Dobson complied, Aanerud then proceeded to the nearby home of Dobson’s parents, doused the residence in gasoline and set it ablaze. The home, which was unoccupied at the time, was completely destroyed in the fire.
PREVIOUSLY: Police Arrest Suspect in AMBER Alert
Dobson, fearing for her children’s safety, told them to flee to the home of family friend Lyle Maske, 62. Learning from the children that Aanerud had been “robbing” the nearby home, Maske decided to investigate and asked another resident to drive him to the property. After dropping him off, the resident returned to her home to stay with the children. Minutes later, Aanerud reportedly confronted Maske in the driveway, shooting him during an altercation. Responding officers later found Maske deceased, with gunshot wounds and rifle casings scattered nearby.
Following the shooting, Aanerud allegedly returned to Dobson’s residence, forcibly entered the home while armed and demanded that Dobson and her children accompany him. According to court records, Aanerud fired several rounds inside the home and threatened violence if the children weren’t handed over. He then forced Dobson and her four children into his vehicle and left at a high speed.
In the early hours of Friday, Nov. 1, a statewide AMBER Alert was issued in response to the abduction. A “very astute” Morrison County resident eventually spotted the Chrysler Pacifica and alerted authorities, Sheriff Eric Klang said. The vehicle was located near Little Falls around 7:20 a.m., and Aanerud was taken into custody, with officers reporting a strong smell of gasoline on his clothing. Inside the van, authorities found Dobson, her children and 13 stolen firearms. Dobson displayed injuries consistent with assault, though the children were unharmed.
Investigation northeast of Brainerd, Minn. on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. via Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office
In statements to law enforcement, Aanerud admitted to several aspects of the crime spree, claiming he “accidentally” shot Maske during the driveway confrontation. He also admitted to setting fire to Dobson’s parents’ residence, saying he’d been asked to stage a burglary and burn down the home for insurance money, a claim Dobson’s parents denied to law enforcement, confirming the property was uninsured.
Aanerud acknowledged forcing Dobson and her children into his van and later admitted to discharging his weapon outside her residence. He now faces a total of twelve felony charges including two counts of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, five counts of kidnapping, one count of first-degree arson, two counts of second-degree assault and one count of theft of firearms. If convicted, he could face extensive prison time and remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
Aanerud has a lengthy criminal record, including felony threats of violence and gross misdemeanor domestic assault. In 2022, he was convicted in Aitkin County of making violent threats against an ex-girlfriend and he has other convictions in Crow Wing County including third-degree burglary, motor vehicle theft and third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
Aanerud has pending cases for DWI and driving with a revoked license. His next court hearing for the latest charges is set for Nov. 12.
PREVIOUSLY: Police Arrest Suspect in AMBER Alert
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