A man reported being assaulted just east of Eden Valley by a stranger early Friday morning.

Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner says deputies are investigating an assault incident that happened just after 9 a.m. near Country Road 9 and Meeker Stearns Street. The suspect was not identified until Sherff’s Office requested help from public through media. An anonymous person then called the Litchfield Police Department and identified the suspect as 55-year-old Steven Al Ruprecht through a photo line-up.

Sanner says the victim was out for a bike ride when Ruprecht approached and assaulted him. The sheriff says deputies arrested Ruprecht at his home Saturday night at 11:15 p.m. and took him to Stearns County Jail. Ruprecht is facing charges of 2nd degree assault. Investigators believe Ruprecht mistook the victim for another person when he committed the assault.