By Bruce Karnick

[email protected]

At 5:30 am on Thursday, February 4th, the Hastings Police Department, along with Dakota County Drug Task Force went to the 800 block of 10th Street West to serve a warrant.

We spoke with Deputy Chief David Wilske the morning of the fourth about the events of the morning.

“I can tell you that the Drug Task Force served a search warrant this morning at 530. While they were actively engaged in that search warrant, they found a device that that concerned them quite a bit, so they removed themselves from the house. We called the St. Paul bomb squad and they just arrived. They’re going to take the device to make sure that it’s safe and dispose of it. Then we’re going to continue with our search warrant. So we’re just taking every precaution that we can. We evacuated one house directly to the west of this residence just to be on the safe side. So we’ve just been holding the street to make sure everyone’s safe until the St. Paul bomb squad can take care of the device.”

The bomb squad worked expeditiously, taking at most 15 minutes to secure the device and clearing the area. Thankfully, no one was injured in the course of events. Later that morning, Chief Bryan Schaefer released a statement.

On Thursday, February 4th, 2021, at 5:30 am, the Dakota County Drug Task Force and Hastings Police Department served a search warrant in the 800 block of 10th St. West. Four individuals were located in the residence and detained. Agents began searching the residence and located a suspicious device that resembled a possible explosive device. Officers and agents immediately exited the residence and evacuated additional residents in adjoining apartments. Residents of one neighboring home were also removed to ensure their safety. No other residents on the block were evacuated and no businesses or schools were affected, or in harm’s way. Officers secured the 800 block of 10th St. West. The St. Paul Police Department Bomb Squad was contacted and arrived on scene at 8:30 am. The bomb squad removed the suspicious device for disposal and the Dakota County Drug Task Force then completed their search of the residence.

One male was arrested on outstanding warrants and one male was arrested on fresh charges stemming from this incident. The Hastings Police Department opened 10th St. West for vehicle traffic at approximately 9:20 am and those displaced have been contacted and advised they may return to their homes. This continues to be an on-going investigation.

As it would later unfold, two males ended up being booked later into Dakota County Jail. Eric Andrew Hason and Adam Jo- seph Freiermuth.

Freiermuth was booked on multiple charges: two counts of 5th degree drug possession, check forgery-offer/possess with intent to defraud, two counts of domestic assault, trespassing, and failure to appear. His omnibus hearing is scheduled for the morning of February 23rd.

Hanson was booked on multiple charges: Explosive/incendiary device-possess/make/ transport/store, 5th degree drug possession, and possess pistol/assault weapon-conviction or adjudicated delinquent for crime of violence. His omnibus hearing is scheduled for the afternoon of February 24th.

Eric Hanson

Adam Freiermuth