Burnsville Police Arrest 23-Year-Old, File Felony Charges in New Year’s Day Park Assault Near Crystal Lake
Published: January 7, 2026
BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA - Burnsville Police have arrested and the Dakota County Attorney’s Office has charged a 23-year-old man in connection with a violent New Year’s Day assault on an elderly woman along a park trail near Crystal Lake West, an incident authorities say raised serious public safety concerns and represents an escalation of troubling behavior.
According to a joint announcement from the Burnsville Police Department and the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, Dashawn Jawaun Newton, 23, of Burnsville, was formally charged on January 7, 2026, with two felony counts and one misdemeanor stemming from the January 1 attack.
Charges Filed
Court records show Newton faces the following charges:
Felony False Imprisonment (Intentional Restraint)
Felony Threats of Violence (Intent to Terrorize)
Misdemeanor Assault in the Fifth Degree (Inflict or Attempt Bodily Harm)
The felony charges each carry potential prison sentences, while the misdemeanor assault charge carries possible jail time and fines.
Alleged Assault at Crystal Lake Park
The criminal complaint details that the victim, a 74-year-old Burnsville woman, left her home around 7:45 a.m. on New Year’s Day to walk a trail through Crystal Lake Park and the nearby boat launch area. While walking alone, she was approached by a man matching Newton’s description, who engaged her in conversation and asked questions about the trails and whether it was possible to walk on the frozen lake.
The woman became uneasy due to the number of questions and told the man her husband was nearby before continuing on her walk. Approximately ten minutes later, the same man allegedly approached her from behind, covered her mouth with a gloved hand, and told her he had a knife and that she should not scream.
Authorities say the victim resisted, fought back, and attempted to scratch the attacker’s face and eyes. During the struggle, the suspect allegedly threw her to the ground and used his body to pin her down. The victim later told investigators she feared she was about to be sexually assaulted. The encounter ended when the suspect asked about her husband and then fled toward a nearby parking lot.
A jogger heard the commotion and found the victim on the side of the trail, appearing pale, disheveled, and in shock. He helped her reach the boat launch, after which she returned home and called police.
Rough location of where the assault occurred.
Investigation and Arrest
Responding officers located disturbed snow along the trail consistent with a struggle and recovered a black drawstring believed to have come from the suspect’s clothing. Surveillance footage from nearby apartment complexes helped investigators track the suspect’s movements and identify Newton, who was seen driving a Mercedes SUV and wearing clothing consistent with the victim’s description.
Police linked the vehicle to an apartment near the Crystal Lake boat launch and later obtained a search warrant. During a search of the apartment, officers recovered clothing matching what was seen on surveillance video, including a gray sweatshirt with a black vest missing a drawstring, black shoes, a black hair cap, and multiple pairs of black gloves.
Newton was arrested on January 5 after officers stopped the Mercedes SUV and confirmed he was driving. According to the complaint, Newton agreed to speak with investigators and acknowledged being in the park that morning and interacting with the victim, though he denied covering her mouth or threatening her with a knife.
Bail Request and Public Safety Concerns
Prosecutors requested $100,000 bail without conditions or $75,000 bail with strict conditions, citing concerns for public safety. Proposed conditions include remaining in Minnesota, no contact with the victim, a ban on weapons, random chemical testing, participation in a pretrial release program, and compliance with all court appearances.
In court filings, prosecutors noted Newton is also under investigation for multiple incidents of indecent exposure in Burnsville and nearby cities between October and December 2025. In those cases, authorities say Newton exposed himself outside strangers’ homes, sometimes captured on Ring doorbell cameras. According to the bail request, Newton admitted to police that he engaged in the behavior to see people’s reactions, and prosecutors described the January 1 assault as an escalation of that conduct.
The judge ultimately set the bond at $100,000 without conditions and $40,000 with conditions.
Police Statement
Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz praised the work of investigators and the community’s role in the arrest.
“Today we’ve taken a violent offender off the streets due to the tenacious work of our police officers, detectives, and crime analysts,” Schwartz said. “We are grateful for the help of residents and businesses who shared security camera footage and suspect sightings so we could quickly build a case and apprehend this suspect.”
Schwartz emphasized that public safety is a shared responsibility and credited the victim’s willingness to report the crime and provide details as critical to the investigation.
Case Status
Newton remains in custody pending further court proceedings in Dakota County District Court. The case remains active, and additional charges are possible as related investigations continue.
Anyone with additional information related to this case or other incidents is encouraged to contact the Burnsville Police Department.
Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
Written By: Will Wight
