Mankato man facing felony kidnapping and threats of violence charges in Mower County District Court

A Mankato man is facing charges that include kidnapping and threats of violence in Mower County District Court after a woman was allegedly taken against her will from the Austin Community Recreation Center Monday afternoon.

Austin Police received two call-in reports at approximately 2:35 p.m. Monday afternoon concerning a woman possibly being removed from the Rec Center against her will by an adult male in a black sedan with Iowa license plates.  Chief of Police Dave McKichan reported that the vehicle was gone by the time officers arrived on the scene, but they continued to canvass the area and the suspect vehicle was located in the small parking lot on the north side of Eastside Lake.  Officers made contact with the adult male and female, and McKichan stated that based on the female’s demeanor, officers determined the reports had some legitimacy to them, and after following up, they learned that the two had been, but were no longer in a relationship.  Police determined that the suspect, who was identified as 19-year old Keshaun Baker of Mankato, had gone to the Rec Center and removed the victim against her will. He was arrested and is being held in the Mower County jail on felony charges of kidnapping and threats of violence, and for misdemeanor charges of domestic abuse, violation of an order for protection, and for domestic assault.  

Chief McKichan went on to report that Baker could appear in Mower County District Court on the charges sometime today, or early on Wednesday.