LOVELL (WNE) — Kevin Hansen, a 40-year-old Lovell resident, was taken into custody last month after breaking into an Idaho Avenue residence with a shotgun early on the morning of July 17.

According to Lovell Police Chief Dan Laffin, Hansen forced his way into the residence using his shotgun as a battering ram at 1:55 a.m. 

Hansen allegedly confronted the homeowner and the homeowner’s girlfriend inside the residence before the homeowner was able to subdue Hansen by stabbing him in the side with a hunting knife.

“It appears the homeowner used force in defense of his girlfriend and his life,” Laffin said. “At this time, he faces no criminal charges for using that degree of force.”

Hansen fled the scene, was admitted into North Big Horn Hospital and transported to Billings Clinic through emergency flight services. He later fled the Billings facility against medical advice and was thought to be on the run from law enforcement.

However, Hansen returned to Lovell and called the Lovell Police Department days later to voice complaints he had about the investigation of the case. Through the phone call, officers were able to determine the location of Hansen and, in coordination with the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Department, arrested him. 

Hansen faces felony charges for aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon, assault, battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a deadly weapon. He also faces misdemeanor charges for battery and property destruction and charges related to Hansen being registered in the sex offender registry for previous offenses.