Man charged with pulling knife during altercation at convenience store

An Albert Lea man who was reportedly being trespassed from Casey’s gas station in Albert Lea was charged Tuesday with pulling a knife on one of the employees at the convenience store when he was told he was not welcome at the store.

Christopher John Krom, 50, faces one count of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, a felony, and one count of dangerous weapons-metal knuckles/switch blade, a misdemeanor, tied to the reported altercation.

Court documents state police were called to the store right before 6 p.m. Monday for reports of a fight. Police stated when they arrived they spoke to another individual who said he heard a Casey’s employee tell Krom he was not welcome at the store, to which Krom became confrontational.

The witness told police the employee and Krom went outside, where Krom reportedly pulled a knife and threatened to cut the employee. Both parties argued and at one point Krom reportedly walked toward a picnic table near the store and stabbed it with the knife before leaving on his bicycle.

The employee told police he saw Krom walk in the store as he was heading to his cigarette break, and he informed Krom he was being trespassed from the store. The employee then went outside and sat on the picnic table, where Krom became confrontational. The employee alleged after he pushed Krom away from him, Krom pulled a knife from his pocket.

Court documents state during the altercation Krom reportedly hit the employee in the head with a closed fist while carrying the open knife.

When officers made contact with Krom, he told police he was not involved with an incident involving a knife and that if he had a knife it was for dog protection.

The officer found a knife in his front right pocket, after which he reportedly admitted to getting into an altercation with the employee but stated he never pulled a knife. He then said he pulled a knife but did not use it.

In court on Tuesday, Freeborn County District Court Judge Ross Leuning allowed Krom be released on his promise to appear for his next court hearing July 25. He must remain law-abiding, have no contact with the victim and not use or possess firearms or dangerous weapons, among other conditions.

Krom is next slated to appear in court July 25.

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