Amber Alert suspect faces a dozen charges, including murder, kidnapping and arson

Authorities have filed charges against the suspect of the Brainerd Amber Alert and the murder of Lyle Maske. Chad Aanerud (35) is accused of kidnapping his pregnant girlfriend and her four kids.

Aanerud faces over a dozen charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, five counts of kidnapping, two counts of second-degree assault, one count of first-degree arson and one count of theft.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded early Friday morning to the report that Annerud shot and killed Maske, according to court documents. Maske was pronounced dead at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds. Responders attempted life-saving measures and then saw the home on the property was on fire. Court documents say the home is a total loss.

Investigators learned Maske and his wife lived on one property, and a woman and her four children lived in a building next to the main home. The woman was identified by authorities as Aanerud’s girlfriend.

Shortly before the shooting, a witness said the woman’s children came to Maske’s home and said that Aanerud was robbing the home to the east.

The witness said she and Maske decided to drive over and see what was happening. The witness dropped him off and went home to be with the children.

Around 10 minutes later, the witness said Aanerud showed up at Maske’s home in a van, and the woman who lives in a building on the property was in the front seat. Aanerud was carrying a rifle and forced himself into the home, demanding “his kids.” Court documents state he fired several shots and then forced the woman and her kids into the vehicle at gunpoint before speeding off.

After Aanerud left, the witness said she went to the other property and found Maske on the ground covered in blood.

An Amber Alert was issued, and the vehicle was found around 7:20 a.m. near Little Falls. Aanerud was arrested and officers noted that he smelled of gasoline, according to court documents.

The woman and children were found in the van. The woman had injuries consistent with being assaulted. Officers also found 13 stolen firearms in the back of the van.

After his arrest, Aanerud told investigators he had accidentally shot Maske after he “stuck his nose” where it didn’t belong and confronted him while Aanerud was carrying firearms out of the home.

He also later admitted to setting the fire and bringing the woman to the home to get the children.

If you or someone you know is a victim of Domestic Violence. Help is available.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-729-7233 or text “START” to 88788