St. Paul patient accused of $25k damage to Mankato clinic room

A hospital patient is accused of causing extensive damage to his room. Clay Paul Albertus, 37, of West St. Paul, was charged in Blue Earth County Court last week with felony first-degree damage to property.

According to a criminal complaint, police were called to Mayo Clinic on Marsh St June 8 just before 10:30 a.m.  The hospital reported a patient – later identified as Albertus –  was slamming things around his room and busting windows.

Responding police described the damage to the room as “enormous.” A large window was smashed, with glass littered around the room and out into the hallway of the emergency room.  Police believe the large pieces of glass could have been used as a weapon.  A large hole had also been made in a sheet rock wall, and police found a hospital table that had been destroyed.

Court documents say Albertus paced the room and did not respond to police.  Officers believed Albertus posed a potential risk to himself and others, and tased him to subdue him.

The damages allegedly caused by Albertus were estimated at $25,000.  He is currently booked in the Blue Earth County Jail.