Update: Wabasha County Murder Suspect Triggered Shelter in Place, Large Law Enforcement Presence East of Rochester

Kellogg, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester man has been arrested in a Wabasha County murder case. 

See Also: Motorist & Construction Worker Critically Injured in Crash Inside of Minnesota Tunnel 

A news release issued by the Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office says the victim and suspect had a prior relationship together. 

Wabasha County deputies responded to the report of a woman injured and in need of medical attention around 4:45 Wednesday afternoon. 

Get our free mobile app

The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office identified him as the suspect who triggered a shelter-in-place alert and large law enforcement presence east of Rochester Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

Rochester Man Suspected in Wabasha County Murder Arrested by Olmsted County Sheriff's Office at Chester Woods Park

Deputies responded to the emergency call in the West Newton area, which is about seven miles southeast of Kellogg along the Mississippi River. 

Emergency responders encountered the victim and brought her to a hospital in Wabasha where she was pronounced dead. Authorities have identified the victim as 36-year-old Melissa Hunt. 

The Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Craig Alan Hameister, was arrested near Chester Woods Park east of Rochester by the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office. 

He’s being held in the Wabasha County jail in Wabasha on suspicion of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter, jail records show. 

A news release issued by the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office says Wabasha County authorities asked the agency for assistance after learning Hameister could in the Rochester area.

Olmsted deputies spotted near the 6800 block of Meadowbrook Street Southeast in Marion Township and fled from authorities, the news release says. Law enforcement received information he may have been armed with a gun.

Authorities set up a perimeter and deployed multiple resources, including the Minnesota State Patrol plane and located him in a wooded area. The Rochester man surrendered without incident after several hours, the news release says.

Story updated to include new information from the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office