Deputies Arrest Suspect in Vadnais Heights Sexual Assault

Oct 30

A man arrested Thursday in connection with a violent sexual assault in Vadnais Heights was on felony probation at the time of the attack, court records show.

Ramsey County deputies arrested 21-year-old Tristen Alan Leritz, of White Bear Township, around 11 a.m. in the 5100 block of Mead Road.

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He is accused of sneaking up behind a woman who was walking near Centerville Road and Pond View Drive on Tuesday night, dragging her off the sidewalk into a secluded area and sexually assaulting her.

According to investigators, the woman fought back, knocking Leritz’s glasses off and biting his hand before escaping and providing detectives with a detailed description. Authorities said her quick thinking, community tips and DNA analysis by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension led to Leritz’s arrest less than two days later.

PREVIOUSLY: Deputies Search for Suspect After Sexual Assault in Vadnais Heights

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher said in a statement that the victim’s actions and public assistance were key to solving the case. “The first 48 hours are critical in solving any violent crime,” Fletcher said. “In this case, tips from the community and help from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Crime Lab led to the arrest of a violent criminal suspect. The victim provided key information to investigators that allowed us to act quickly and share accurate details with the public. The victim fought hard, knocked his glasses off, and bit his hand—and still managed to give us a detailed description of her attacker.”

Following the arrest, detectives executed a search warrant, collected additional evidence and interviewed Leritz, who reportedly confessed to the assault. He is being held in the Ramsey County Jail and is expected to be formally charged Friday by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.

Court records show Leritz was on supervised probation in Anoka County for a felony motor vehicle theft conviction at the time of the assault. He pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent in Columbia Heights in July 2024. A judge granted a stay of imposition in March 2025, meaning his conviction would be reduced to a misdemeanor if he successfully completed probation. He was ordered to provide a DNA sample as part of the sentence.

He remains in custody pending formal charging in the Vadnais Heights case.

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