Inver Grove Heights Man Sentenced to 360 Days For Battle Ax Robbery

Police say Jacob Robert Anhalt was the 'inside man' who helped two other men gain access to a victim's home—just before they robbed the victim, struck him with a battle ax and duct-taped him to a foosball table.

On Friday, the 23-year-old Inver Grove Heights man was sentenced to 360 days in Dakota County Jail and 10 years of probation for his role in the, which took place last December. Anhalt was originally charged with two counts of first-degree burglary, one count of aggravated robbery and one count of theft. He pleaded guilty to a single count of felony first-degree burglary in March.

In his sentencing, Dakota County Judge Tim Wermager gave Anhalt 172 days credit for time already served and a stayed, 58-month prison sentence that Anhalt could serve if he violates the conditions of his parole. Anhalt's parole conditions include no contact with the victim, submitting to random drug and alcohol testing and chemical dependency evaluation and treatment, among other requirements.

Anhalt, who knew the victim, arranged a visit to the victim's home on Dec. 21, according to a criminal complaint issued in by the Dakota County Attorney's office. But the social call, police said, was actually the set up for a robbery: Soon after the victim unlocked his back door to let Anhalt in, two other men brandishing a battle ax and sword charged into the home.

After striking the victim in the head with the ax, the other men pinned him to the floor while Anhalt fled the home, police said. The two robbers demanded "valuables" from the victim and threatened the man before rummaging through the residence.

After stealing tools several rings and a cell phone from the victim, the men duct-taped the bleeding victim to a foosball table. The two stole a truck out of the victim's driveway and fled, police said.

One of the other men involved in the robbery, Randy Allen Knight, after pleading guilty to felony second-degree burglary.

Police identified a third "person of interest" in the case, Inver Grove Heights Police Department Lt. Larry Stanger said, but the man refused to speak with police investigators. Stanger believes a fourth individual may have also played a role in the incident. No additional charges have yet been filed in the case, which is still under investigation.