Updated at: 11/25/2009 10:32 PM | KSAX.com
Print Story  Email to a Friend

Elderly Woman Attacked and Robbed inside of Church

WILLMAR, MINN. - A 61-year-old Bemidji man is in custody after allegedly attacking and robbing a 73-year-old woman cleaning the inside of the Crow River Church in northern Kandiyohi County Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office, Lindon Knutson of Bemidji was arrested for first degree criminal sexual conduct, third degree assault, aggravated robbery, and theft.

According to accounts by members of Crow River Church, "A man entered the church and asked the victim for directions and then for a tour of the church."  

During the tour he attacked the elderly woman and stole here purse.   

The woman was taken to Paynesville Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries.

At 5:40 p.m., the chief of police from Cosmos Police Department located a car that matched the description of the car noted in a statewide alert issued by authorities.  He then saw that the driver of that car also matched the description of Knutson.

The Cosmos Police pulled the car over for a traffic violation, and then took the man into custody.

Knutson is being held in the Kandiyohi County Jail.

Despite the trauma the incident has caused church members, Pastor Bobbi Bell says the church is forgiving.

"Obviously we are praying for the victim and her family, but we're also praying for the alleged perpetrator," said Bell. 

Written for the web by Cristi Jessee.

cjessee@ksax.com