A St. Michael man was charged with one count of assault in the fourth degree, a felony charge, in Hennepin County District Court Dec. 19.

Police say Trevor Don Morlock, 18, of St. Michael, punched Maple Grove Police Officer Mike Helman in the face after refusing to leave a Bed, Bath and Beyond store Dec. 16. 

A filed complaint by Detective Laurel Slawson of the Maple Grove Police Department provides the following details:

On Dec. 16, Morlock entered the Bed, Bath and Beyond store located on the 7900 block of Wedgewood Lane in Maple Grove, asked for and received a shopping cart. He then proceeded to “sit in the shopping cart with his feet hanging out,” Slawson wrote in the complaint, adding Morlock positioned the cart “in a manner that blocked the store entrance.” After store employees were unsuccessful in having Morlock move his cart and refrain from blocking the door, he reportedly became “hostile” which prompted employees to call the police.

Officer Mike Helman responded to the call and asked Morlock to voluntarily leave the store and he refused to comply. 

“After several warnings, Officer Helman deployed his Taser on the defendant,” Slawson wrote in the complaint, indicating the Taser "did not appear" to have any effect.

The officer then attempted to physically restrain Morlock, to which he allegedly responded by “punching Officer Helman in the face several times.”

“Officer Helman briefly lost consciousness as he fell to the floor due to the force of the punches,” Slawson wrote in the complaint. “In addition to losing consciousness, Officer Helman suffered noticeable swelling in his facial area.”

Police say Morlock “fled the Bed, Bath and Beyond store, entered a nearby Hershfield’s and locked himself into the women’s bathroom.” He surrendered peacefully to police.

According to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Jail roster, Morlock was released from custody Monday, Dec. 19, when bail was posted, subject to conditions of his release. A hearing is pending.

Updated information as of Jan. 20: According to a source in the Maple Grove Police Department who wished to remain anonymous, "a benefit fund has been established through Wells Fargo as an avenue for those who wish to give their support to the Helman family" to assist with unforeseen additional expenses. "Consent has been given by the family in order to establish the account and they are solely responsible for it." If you wish to contribute, donations can be made at any Wells Fargo bank location to the Michael Helman Benefit Fund. For those wishing to transfer funds please note the account can be found under the name Lorelei Helman Account Number #8456438228.