Watford City Man Arrested After Late-night Apartment Visits

A Mandaree man has been arrested after allegedly entering multiple apartments in a Watford City complex early Sunday, according to police.

Officers with the Watford City Police Department responded June 14, 2026, to the 200 block of Fox Hills Parkway after receiving a report that an unauthorized individual had entered an apartment.

The reporting party told officers that an unknown man entered her residence around 4:30 a.m. while it was unoccupied. Surveillance footage from inside the apartment showed the suspect moving through several rooms before leaving. Police said the suspect inadvertently left behind a cellphone during the incident.

As the investigation continued, officers learned of a second incident in another apartment within the same building. In that case, the suspect allegedly entered an occupied residence and startled a woman who was sleeping on a couch. No injuries were reported, and authorities said nothing was taken from either apartment.

Police reviewed additional surveillance footage from the apartment complex, which showed the suspect walking through common areas and attempting to open multiple apartment doors. Using video evidence and other investigative leads, officers were able to identify the suspect and began searching the area.

About 12 hours after the initial report, officers located and arrested Maximus Antonio Avila, 23, of Mandaree without incident.

Avila was taken to the McKenzie County Correctional Facility and charged with two counts of criminal trespass, both Class C felonies.

Police reminded residents to secure doors and windows, even during short absences, and to report suspicious activity.

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Avila is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.