Aug 26, 2007 12:18 am US/Central
Man Shot While Helping Police End Man Hunt
by James Schugel
(WCCO)
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Keith Radtke was shot by an intruder who was fleeing police Friday night. Radtke struggled with the man and was able to contain him until police arrived.
A local man became a hero in an instant. He kept his family and his neighborhood safe, and helped end a police man hunt.
SWAT Teams, police officers, sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement from across the area descended on Lakeland, Minnesota, Friday night. A 23-year-old suspect was on the loose and the entire area went into lock-down.
"Police officers kneeling down, guns drawn, it looked like we were in a war zone," said Greg Strauss, who lives in the area, and remembers a SWAT Team going through his home, looking for the man. "They were walking with their guns poised and ready."
The Strauss' believe the suspect first ran through their yard and straight to their neighbor's yard. Leland Lederman confronted him on his deck.
"He swings around a black assault rifle, and says, 'I want your car, give me your keys right now,'" Leland said.
The bizarre night started across the St. Croix River in Hudson, Wisconsin. Police had a warrant to arrest the man, but when they tried serving it, he shot at them, then jumped in a car.
Police chased the suspect down I-94 and into Lakeland, Minnesota. He got out of the car, then ran from home to home up and down Old Toll Bridge Road.
It all came to an end, when he got to Keith and Jody Ratdke's home. Ratdke and his wife had just put their three boys to bed upstairs, and they came downstairs.
The front door was still unlocked, and the man bolted through the front door with a gun. All three went into the garage, and there was some kind of struggle between Ratdke and the man. Ratdke was shot once, but he was still able to pin the man until police arrived.
When officers arrived, they shot the suspect with a Taser and arrested him. He was taken to Regions Hospital, where he was listed in serious condition.
The Washington County Sheriff has not released the name of the suspect yet. He expects the County Attorney will charge him with kidnapping, attempted murder and burglary. That could all be just the start of the charges.
The Ratdke family released a statement Saturday afternoon:
"Our family wants to thank all of the law enforcement and medical personnel for their great work. We're also so grateful for the support of family and friends. We feel blessed to be in good hands."
Ratdke was in good condition Saturday at a local hospital.
"Pray for he and his family," said Strauss and his wife, Tammy.
Meanwhile, people who live in Lakeland are just glad the ordeal is over.
"Yeah, this is a little too close to home," said Strauss.
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