Bemidji man charged with assaulting police officer, domestic assault

BEMIDJI -- A man who police say struck the mother of his child early Wednesday also allegedly took the infant and fled following the attack, eventually fighting with officers before being arrested.

Toca Allen Nelson, 24, remained in the Beltrami County Jail on Wednesday on $25,000 bail, an official there said.

In the criminal complaint filed by the Beltrami County Attorney’s Office, Nelson was charged with felony counts of domestic assault and fourth-degree assaulting a peace officer.

About 3 a.m. Wednesday, officers with the Bemidji Police Department responded to Ridgeway Apartments, 2910 Ridgeway Ave. NW, on a report of a domestic assault. There, the victim told police Nelson had attacked her. Police noted the victim had blood coming from her nose and “that her face and shirt appeared to be bloody,” the complaint stated.

A witness told police Nelson struck the victim “with a closed fist without provocation,” according to the complaint.

Nelson was later found at Northern Star Apartments, 800 26th St. NW, police said, where he became combative with officers after handing over the 5-month-old child. One officer was injured after being kicked by Nelson, who was put in leg restraints and taken to jail, according to the complaint.

Nelson has criminal history that includes convictions for third- and fifth-degree assault, as well as third-degree cocaine possession, all in Beltrami County.