Police: St. Cloud man struck in the head with pistol in aggravated robbery

A 58-year-old man was assaulted with a firearm and robbed inside his trailer in St. Cloud Tuesday.

The incident took place at Sherwood Manor Trailer Park located at 555 Hwy. 10 S around 9:30 p.m. Around the same time, officers received reports of shots being heard directly across the highway at the America’s Best Value Inn and Suites.

When officers arrived at Sherwood Manor, they found the male victim in his trailer. It was determined that he was struck in the head with a handgun. At one point, multiple shots had been fired inside the residence by the suspect.

The victim was not struck by gunfire, but he received “significant” but “non-life threatening” injuries to his head, said St. Cloud Police. 

The suspect, later identified as Aaron Dante Moreno, 37, of Sauk Rapids, fled on foot when officers arrived. Officers caught and Tased the suspect.

According to St. Cloud Police, the man held his hand inside his sweatshirt packet while running from officers. After he was Tased, a handgun fell from his pocket onto the ground.

The firearm was reported stolen out of the city of St. Cloud earlier this year. Officers also found drug paraphernalia on the suspect. He was taken into custody at the scene.

Moreno is also wanted on a federal warrant for weapons violations, therefore he cannot possess firearms legally. Officers don’t know the motive behind the incident, but said it is “potentially drug related.”

His charges include second degree assault, aggravated robbery, being a felon in possession of a handgun and possession of a stolen firearm.