UPDATED: Inver Grove Heights Man Pleads Guilty in Battle Ax Burglary

A 22-year-old Inver Grove Heights Man pleaded guilty Friday morning to one count of first-degree burglary for his role in a December robbery involving a battle ax and sword.

Police say Jacob Robert Anhalt was one of three men involved in a violent home invasion on December 21 in Inver Grove Heights. Randy Allen Knight, a second Inver Grove Heights man charged in connection with the crime, was convicted of one count of felony second degree burglary and sentenced earlier in March to 49 months in prison.

Police say Anhalt used his prior relationship with the victim to gain entry to his home in Inver Grove Heights on Dec. 21. Shortly after the victim unlocked his back door to let Anhalt in, Knight and a third man, brandishing a metal battle ax and sword, charged into the home using the same unlocked door, police said.

After striking the victim in the head with the ax, Knight and the other man pinned him to the floor while Anhalt fled the home, a criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County Attorney's office said. At one point, according to the complaint, one of the robbers demanded valuables from the victim, saying: "I don't want to leave with a body part!"

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

Inver Grove Heights Police Department Lieutenant Larry Stanger said police have identified a third suspect that may have been involved the crime, and have a fourth "person of interest." However, the department doesn't currently have enough evidence to charge either of the individuals, Stanger said.

Anhalt was originally charged with two counts of felony first degree burglary, one count of aggravated robbery and one felony count of theft of a motor vehicle. If convicted on the single first degree burglary charge, Anhalt could face a maximum of 20 years in prison and $35,000 in fines.

Before his sentencing in June, Anhalt will undergo a pre-sentencing investigation, Dakota County Attorney's office spokesperson Monica Jensen said. As part of the investigation, corrections officers will review Anhalt's criminal record, interview those involved in the crime and evaluate whether Anhalt feels remorse for his actions. Anhalt will also be submitted to a chemical dependency evaluation.

That information, Jensen said, will be used to help determine his sentence. There is still a possibility that Anhalt could withdraw his guilty plea, Jensen added.