Castle Rock man charged with domestic assault

An argument that started with a television remote control escalated Feb. 12 to the point a 38-year-old Castle Rock Township man landed in jail.

Dakota County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Robert Karl Berendt around 10 p.m. after receiving a report he had been fighting with his wife.

When deputies arrived they found Berendt’s wife crying on the kitchen floor. She said she started arguing with her husband about the remote control, and that he eventually pulled her hair and began throwing her around the kitchen. Berendt locked himself in his bedroom when a 911 call was made.

Berendt was convicted of gross misdemeanor domestic assault in 2004 and was twice convicted of felony domestic assault in 2009, including one incident involving strangulation.

If convicted this time on a felony charge of fifth degree domestic assault Berendt could face up to five years in jail and fines of up to $10,000.

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