A Walker man punched another man in the face outside the Northern Lights Express, then kicked him in the head, pulled off his backpack and took his phone, according to charges.
Kevin Jay Bruce, who was 55 at the time, faces a charge of first-degree aggravated robbery.
According to the complaint, surveillance footage captured Bruce waiting for the victim to exit the Northern Lights Express gas station in Cass County on June 3, 2026. As the victim walked into the parking lot, Bruce approached and struck him in the face. The victim pulled out a knife, and Bruce responded by pulling out a handgun. After a brief exchange, both put away their weapons.
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The complaint states that Bruce hit the victim again as the victim used his phone, causing the victim to fall to the ground. Bruce then kicked the victim in the head, and the victim appeared to lose consciousness. Bruce removed the victim’s backpack, threw it on the ground next to him, took the victim’s phone and reached to the ground for another item. Bruce then got into the front passenger seat of the vehicle, which was driven by another man.
As Bruce entered the vehicle, the victim got up and approached the driver’s side, but the vehicle began backing out. The victim ran at the Ford, fell and the vehicle left the area. The complaint notes that the victim was seen walking awkwardly and nearly falling over several times after the assault. Attempts to locate the victim that night were unsuccessful.
Investigators later learned Bruce’s identity through a combination of witness statements and casino security footage. The manager on duty at the casino told law enforcement that both Bruce and the driver were known to him because they had been excluded from the casino in the past. The manager recognized Bruce as the suspect in the video and confirmed the driver’s identity.
On June 6, 2026, an officer responded to a report of several adults drinking near a vehicle at the Northern Lights Express. The officer was told Bruce was involved and had a warrant. When contacted, Bruce identified himself as “Jay Bruce” and denied having any firearms. During a search, the officer saw what appeared to be a handgun tucked in his waistband; Bruce said it was a BB gun. Bruce was detained on his warrant and later released to a hospital in Cass Lake.
Investigators attempted to contact the victim multiple times in the days following the assault. The victim eventually acknowledged the incident but was hesitant to provide a statement, citing concerns about neighbors who were related to Bruce.
The first-degree aggravated robbery charge alleges Bruce inflicted bodily harm on the victim to take his property.
The charge was filed September 22, 2026, in Cass County District Court.
About This Charge
Minnesota distinguishes simple robbery (§ 609.24, up to 10 years) from aggravated robbery (§ 609.245), which the state may charge on either of two independent grounds: being armed with a dangerous weapon (real, simulated or implied), or inflicting bodily harm, with no weapon required. First-degree aggravated robbery carries up to 20 years; second-degree up to 15. Carjacking is charged under § 609.247.
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