95-year-old man found murdered in Anoka home

ANOKA, Minn. (KMSP) - A 95-year-old man was found murdered in his Anoka, Minnesota home Monday morning. Officers responded to the 1200 block of 5th Avenue South around 10:45 a.m. after a family member found the man.

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office says the man was last seen alive by his family on Thanksgiving when they dropped him off at his home. He was discovered 4 days later, when one of his children stopped by to drop off groceries.

Family identified the victim as Al Loehlein.

Police say the home was ransacked, and Loehlein was the victim of “homicidal violence.” Cmdr. Paul Sommer of the Anoka County Sheriff’s office said based on early evidence, it appears whomever entered the home was looking for an easy target.

“He lives alone and someone took advantage of that fact and this gentleman paid the price with his life,” said Cmdr. Sommer.

Loehlein’s nephew, Bart Ward, said Loehlein has lived in the home alone since his wife died about 10 years ago. He described Loehlein as young-hearted and dapper.

“If you looked up the word gentleman in the dictionary, that was Al,” said Ward. “95 going on 75. Probably looked ten or 15 years younger than he was.”

A neighbor told police they saw a man dressed in “winter clothing” walking down the driveway Saturday morning.

Anyone who may have seen anything or has information should call the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office at 763-427-1212 or tips can be left anonymously on the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office website.