Isanti Man Charged With 6 Felonies in Roseville Abduction Case
Ramsey County Jail Booking Photo
Published: September 28th, 2026.
ROSEVILLE MN - An Isanti man who worked as a cleaner at the same Roseville business as the alleged victim has been charged with six felonies, including two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of kidnapping, first-degree aggravated robbery and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
Pao Yang, 41, was charged in Ramsey County District Court after authorities allege he abducted the woman at gunpoint after she left work on Sept. 23.
According to the criminal complaint, the woman left a business near County Road C and East Snelling Service Drive at around 5 p.m. when she was confronted by a masked man armed with what appeared to be a handgun.
Prosecutors allege the man, later identified as Yang, forced the woman toward a wooded area, restrained her and took several of her belongings.
The complaint alleges Yang later moved the woman into a vehicle and drove her to other locations while continuing to restrain and threaten her. During the hours-long abduction, prosecutors allege the woman was sexually assaulted. Additional details of the alleged sexual assault are being withheld due to their sensitive nature.
According to the complaint, the woman was eventually released near Wheelock Parkway in St. Paul. She made her way to a nearby gas station, where bystanders flagged down officers.
The woman was subsequently transported to Regions Hospital for evaluation.
Investigators later returned to the area where the woman reported initially being abducted and recovered potential evidence. Police also reviewed surveillance footage and other evidence as they worked to identify a suspect.
The complaint states investigators obtained surveillance footage from a Target store in Blaine that allegedly showed Yang purchasing an item authorities connected to their investigation. A staff member at the Roseville business recognized the man in the footage as Yang, who worked as a cleaner at the business, according to the complaint.
Investigators also reviewed vehicle and cellphone-related evidence that prosecutors allege placed Yang in locations connected to the case.
Yang was arrested on Sept. 25. Authorities subsequently executed a search warrant at his Isanti residence and recovered several items investigators believed could be connected to the allegations, according to the complaint.
Yang agreed to speak with investigators after being advised of his rights. The complaint states he initially told investigators he had been home on the evening in question. After investigators confronted him with surveillance evidence, Yang eventually requested an attorney.
Yang is charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, including one alleging fear of imminent great bodily harm and another alleging the use or threatened use of a dangerous weapon. He is also charged with two counts of kidnapping, first-degree aggravated robbery and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
Each first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and/or a $40,000 fine. Each kidnapping and the aggravated robbery charge carry maximum sentences of 20 years and/or $35,000 fines, while the second-degree assault charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years and/or a $14,000 fine.
The allegations contained in a criminal complaint are accusations and have not been proven in court. Yang is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.