BRAINERD, Minn. – Authorities in Brainerd have issued an AMBER Alert after they say a man kidnapped a pregnant woman and her four children at gunpoint early Friday.
The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office said 33-year-old Nikkole Dobson and her four children – Brandon, 14; Haley, 11; Gracie, 7; and Chloe, 3 – were taken by Chad Aanerud, Dobson’s boyfriend.
Aanerud is described as 35 years old, 6 feet tall and 185 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is driving a white 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan with the Minnesota license plate AEC 351, the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities said just before 2 a.m., Aanerud went to a home on the 15000 block of Loerch Road where Dobson and the children were staying, fired a shot into the ceiling and kidnapped the family.
The sheriff’s office said Aanerud is also a suspect in a nearby murder and arson.
Dobson is 33 years old, 6 feet tall and 198 pounds, with green eyes and reddish brown hair, authorities said.
Authorities say to call 911 if you have any information and not to approach Aanerud.