Larry Kline
Havre Daily News
lkline@havredailynews.com
A Havre business owner is recovering after being beaten severely at his home early Saturday morning.
Doug Heltne, who owns an automotive service center on First Street, said Monday he is feeling “pretty bad” after the attack.
Heltne said he did not want to talk about the specifics of the attack until police have completed their investigation.
Hill County Attorney Cyndee Peterson said today she will review police and medical records to decide whether to charge JoVon Quinn Johnson, 29, of Harlem with felony assault in connection to the attack.
Johnson is being held in the Hill County Detention Center.
Heltne read a statement from a Northern Montana Hospital doctor, who said both of Heltne's shoulders were dislocated, his nose was broken, and he was bruised and cut. Heltne said he was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon. He was transported to the hospital after calling 911 at 6:35 a.m. Saturday to report the attack.
According to a police report, Heltne told officers he was repeatedly beaten by a man he did not know who entered his home sometime between the hours of 3 and 4 a.m. Heltne said he eventually made it outside of his home, but the man caught up with him and continued the assault. Heltne was pushed down stairs and kicked, the police report said.
Officers found Heltne covered in blood. Blood also was found on the back door, the stairs to the basement, in the basement, outside in the driveway and on a vehicle parked in the driveway, the report said.
Police arrested Johnson on a charge of criminal trespass after officers found him banging on doors on Rich Street, Havre Assistant Police Chief George Tate said Monday. Police found blood they believe belongs to Heltne on Johnson's clothing, he said.
