On September 25, 2025, at approximately 11:34 P.M., officers of the Austin Police Department were dispatched to a disturbance at 321 26™Street SW in the City of Austin, County of Mower. RODNEY DONALD PEDERSEN, DOB/012163, the defendant herein, advised that Victim A (an adult female) was destroying his residence with a hammer. Officers learned that a probationary domestic abuse no contact order (DANCO) was issued by Mower County District Court on May 25, 2023, in file ••-CR-••-••••. The probationary DANCO prohibits the defendant from having any contact with Victim A. Officers Hansen and Johnson arrived and made contact with the defendant outside of his residence, The defendant told the officers that Victim A had been calling him repeatedly, so he picked her up and brought her to his residence.
The defendant stated that Victim A became agitated, threatened him, and destroyed things inside his residence with a hammer. He advised the officers that the Victim A was still inside and had "barricaded" the front door. Officers knocked on the locked front door and called for the Victim A to come out, but she did not respond, Officer Hansen obtained the keys from the defendant and unlocked the door. The officer noted that there were two pieces of furniture placed against the door and the officers had to push their way in.
The officers gave additional commands to Victim A to come out. Victim A made verbal contact with Hansen and walked out of the defendant's bedroom located near the north end of the trailer. Victim A met officers in the living room and was placed in handcuffs. Victim A was later arrested and transported to the Mower County Jail. Once Victim A was secured, Officer Hansen spoke with the defendant. The defendant stated that Victim A had been trying to call him numerous times throughout the day and night.
He stated that due to the continuous attempts from Victim A to get in contact, he felt like he must answer just to "shut her up" for a while. The defendant stated that he did eventually speak with Victim A, and she told him to pick her up. The defendant stated that he went to Victim A's residence and picked her up between 7:00 and 7:30 P.M. He said they went back to his residence to talk about things. The defendant said that after they arrived, she started "going off" and swinging at him. After approximately 30 minutes, he left to take a walk hoping she would calm down.
The defendant stated that when he returned, he found the door "barricaded." He said that he was able to push his way back into his residence and found Victim A in his bed. The defendant stated that Victim A had a smaller brown handled claw hammer with her in the bed. The defendant stated that he then sat on the couch trying to talk to the Victim A and Victim A said, "I'm gonna bust your knee if you don't tell me the truth." She then swung the hammer at his left knee. The defendant stated that he was able to move his leg out of the way, so she did not hit him with the hammer.
