Hudson Man Charged With Attempted Burglary

A Hudson man has been charged with attempted burglary at a home in the 800 block of Wisconsin Street as a woman afraid for her life, called 911 and hid in her basement with a loaded shotgun, according to a cirminal complaint.

According to the complaint, Jeffrey R. Westling of Hudson is facing a felony count of attempted burglary stemming from events that occurred in the early-morning hours of Monday, Aug. 22.

According to the complaint, at about 1:45 a.m. a man wearing a white shirt and baggy shorts was trying to break into the residence when the woman inside "feared for her life so she got her shotgun and loaded it." She then spoke to 911 from the basement.

When police arrived, they weren't able to find the man. While searching the neighborhood, an officer heard a vehicle revving its engine and squealing its tires. A gold pickup truck then sped past the officer on Ninth Street and through a stop sign at Wisconsin Street, according to the complaint.

The driver was identified as Westling, and he was wearing a white shirt and baggy shorts. According to the complaint, he said he had been drinking for much of the day and that he knocked on his friend's doors and windows to find his friend, but he wasn't home. 

Also in the vehicle was a friend who Westling picked up from Hudson Bowling Center at about 1:50 a.m, according to the complaint. The man told police he had no knowledge of Westling attempting to break into the home, and if he did it, it was before he picked him up.

Westling was taken to St. Croix County Jail and charged with attempted burglary. He was also charged with operating while intoxicated and operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration.

Westling is scheduled to appear in St. Croix County Circuit Court in front of Judge Eric Lundell for a motion hearing on Sept. 28, 2011. Assistant District Attorney Kenneth N. Sortedahl II