Disabled Father Left Blind After Rochester Apartment Assault

Sep 11

An Olmsted County man is accused of severely beating his disabled father and stealing his wallet during a violent incident at his Rochester apartment late last month.

According to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday, 20-year-old Tongol Pal Ruach faces charges of first-degree assault, first-degree aggravated robbery and third-degree assault for the Aug. 28 attack at Central Towers.

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Police were called to the apartment complex just before noon and found the victim, an adult male identified in reports as Ruach’s father, lying on the floor of his second-floor unit. Officers noted his mouth was bloodied, his eyes swollen shut and several teeth missing. The apartment showed signs of a struggle, with broken furniture, blood on the floor and walls, and scattered belongings.

The victim, who has one leg and requires assistance to move, told officers that Ruach had shown up at his apartment that morning demanding money. After being told none was available, Ruach allegedly punched him repeatedly in the face and torso until he lost consciousness. When the victim awoke, his phone and wallet were missing. A witness told police that Ruach had entered the building earlier that morning visibly upset and asking about his father’s location.

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Doctors later informed investigators that the victim had lost vision in his left eye as a result of the assault. His medical team is working to prevent permanent blindness in the right eye.

Detectives interviewed the victim at the hospital on Sept. 2, where he described a history of threats and prior violence from Ruach, including earlier hospitalizations. He said he had forced Ruach out of the residence months earlier because of his volatility.

Ruach was arrested and agreed to give a Mirandized statement. He claimed he had been financially supporting his father and confronted him over money he believed was owed. Ruach admitted the argument turned physical but told officers he was not injured.

Ruach had his initial court appearance Thursday, with bail set at $50,000 including conditions that he remain law-abiding, does not leave Minnesota without approval and that he does not use or possess any firearms or dangerous weapons.

Prosecutors filed a notice saying they intend to seek an aggravated sentence due to the father’s vulnerability and Ruach's next court date is set for Sept. 16. He remained jailed as of publication.

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