Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Woman on Sidewalk Allegedly Offers Heinous Explanation to Investigators By Samira Asma-Sadeque

A Minnesota man was arrested in connection with a sexual assault that allegedly happened last week.

Tristen Alan Leritz, 21, was taken into custody on Thursday, Oct. 30, in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 51-year-old woman in Vadnais Heights, Minn., the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The alleged attack took place the previous Tuesday when, police said, Leritz snuck up on the victim while she was out for a walk. He’s accused of then “dragging her off the sidewalk into a secluded area, and sexually assaulting her,” per the statement.

In a criminal complaint cited by KSTP and the Pioneer Press, investigators said the woman was on the phone with a friend when she was allegedly attacked.

She yelled out to her friend to call 911 during the alleged assault, per the complaint.

Leritz allegedly covered her mouth and strangled her as he assaulted her — which according to the complaint, lasted 15 minutes next to the sidewalk, per the Pioneer Press.

“The suspect did not seem to care that he was assaulting her in public,” the complaint read.

The alleged victim “fought hard, knocked his glasses off, and bit his hand,” the sheriff’s office said in their statement. Her prompt reporting of the incident and providing information allowed police to act quickly and notify the public, according to the statement.

Central to the investigation seemingly were his pair of glasses that the woman had managed to knock off, investigators said.

That information tipped off Leritz’s family who then reported him to police, Ramsey County Undersheriff Jeff Ramacher said, per FOX 10 and CBS News.

Following his arrest, Leritz allegedly admitted to the assault — and provided a reason, according to investigators.

He allegedly said he saw the woman walking and then thought, “F— it, since I’m a virgin” before attacking her, KSTP and CBS News reported, citing the criminal complaint.

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The sheriff’s office said in their statement that Leritz is awaiting charges. Online court records show he was previously convicted of a motor vehicle theft in 2024.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.