North Mankato woman charged with assaulting Menards employee over mask policy

MANKATO (LEARFIELD)  — A North Mankato woman is accused of slapping a Menards employee over the company’s mandatory face mask policy.

Thirty-five-year-old Heidi Mueller is charged with fifth-degree assault and disorderly conduct in connection with the May 17th incident.

Surveillance video shows Mueller trying to walk into the store without a mask and the employee telling her she needed to wear one.

The complaint says the two argued before Mueller slapped the employee, ripped off their face mask and threw it in the garbage.  Mueller fled the scene and was later charged.