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The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
SERGEANT
Eric Petersen
POLICE OFFICERS
Jerry Murphy
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Tanner Spicer
Todd Rosse
Jeff Vonfeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
INVESTIGATIONS
Chad Willson
SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICER
Jennifer Fordham
SUPPORT STAFF
Kim Henning
Trista Miller
Lisa Brandt
Becky Pentel
RESERVES
Randy Pentel
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
George Castillo
CHAPLAINS
Frances Cuenca
Joel Detlefsen
Lynn Liberman
Butch Millett
Sue Plucker
John Snider
David Wick
AUGUST 29 2014
Interaction with Law Enforcement
It happens to us all at some point while driving - we become distracted, lose focus, and we
suddenly see those pretty red and blue lights flashing in our rear view mirrors. We think, “I
really didn’t mean to break any laws; gosh, I’m not a criminal. Surely, this cop will it’s sees
it’s only harmless me and he’ll let me go with a warning.” Well, it may not be as simple as
you imagine.
When you are stopped and waiting for the officer to approach, take a moment first to put your-
self in the officer’s shoes. If you get a lot of police attention already, you may already be
versed in the proper procedure during traffic stops. However, the officer stopping you likely
has no idea who you are or your intentions or actions will be greeting you. To ensure the best
possible outcome for you, here are a few suggestions to help put the officer more at ease.
Once you’ve pulled to the shoulder of the roadway, turn on you interior light if it is dark
outside; this allows the officer to see if there are any immediate threats to his or her safety
in the vehicle. It also shows the officer you are conscious of their safety.
Do not start reaching for your proof of insurance and driver’s license yet; just keep your
hands resting on the steering wheel. You may want to be helpful, prepared and compliant,
but when you are reaching around before the officer is even at your window, that officer
has no idea if you are reaching for a gun or a license.
Don’t have a rubber neck. It may take the officer a few minutes to walk up to your vehicle
as they radio the stop in and run your license plate on the computer. If you are constantly
looking around for the officer, you may appear to be very nervous and anxious, heighten-
ing the officer’s “Spide-y” senses.
Once the officer has made contact with you, a negative attitude is not going to work in
your favor. While you may feel you are being picked on, it’s personal or they have
wrecked your schedule, I assure you there is no ill intent outside of enforcement. A
pleasant greeting such as, “Good evening, officer,” will go a long way. Remember that
calm behavior and compliance to lawful orders will always work in your favor.
The officer will tell you the reason for the stop and ask for your driver’s license and proof
of insurance. Tell the officer where both items are located before you reach for them. The
officer will likely shine his or flashlight and move to better see where and what you are
reaching for, this is not to be nosy but to be sure you are not grabbing some thing that may
hurt them.
With a little understanding and patience of the officer’s concerns on your part, your encounter
with the police will be as brief and pleasant as possible.
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For more information: CLICK HERE:
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F a m i l y D o m e s t i c F r i d a y 1 1 : 3 1 h o u r s
Officers Bobby Lambert and Chad Willson responded to a local therapy service business on a father/son
domestic report. In meeting with the parties, it was determined that during their family counseling session,
the father got upset with the way his son was talking to him so walked out. The son followed him out in
hopes to continue the session and ended up pushing his father and they exchanged some words. Concerns
the dispute may escalate, so police were called. It was arranged for the session to continue another day.
Damage to Property Friday 17:48 hours
Officer Todd Rosse responded to a home on an after the fact vandalism report. In meeting with the
homeowners, they directed Rosse to their pickup truck and pointed out the recent damage to its passenger
side rear fender flare. Rosse noticed a large scratch approximately 13 inches in length that appeared to be
consistent with that of bicycle handlebars. The homeowner questioned some young neighbors to be the
culprits so Rosse notified the parents of the children and they were very receptive and were going to talk with
their children and if the damage was done by them, make it right.
Theft Sunday 09:22 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert and Chad Willson took a theft report via phone from a woman who said her purse
had been stolen while at the Moose Country. She mentioned she set it down on a chair for a minute and
when she went to retrieve it, it was stolen. The Coach wristlet purse contained a MN DL, Visa debit card and
an Apple iPhone. Under investigation.
Traffic Stop/DAS Tuesday 11:32 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer John Larrive noticed a vehicle pass his squad that he had stopped earlier in
the day and was cited for Driving After Suspension. The driver of the vehicle was the same person as before
whom he already advised her not to drive. Larrive stopped the vehicle a second time and was asked to step
out of the vehicle and grab her personal belongings as her vehicle was going to be impounded. Crowder was
issued a second citation for Driving After Suspension and she was dropped off at a local gas station to get a
ride.
F o u n d B i k e T u e s d a y 1 2 : 2 3 h o u r s
Officer John Larrive responded to a found bike report at Ivy Falls Park. The bike was picked up and
inventoried at the police department. If you are missing your bike and please call the police department so
we can return it to its rightful owner.
5th Degree Drugs Thursday 0054 hours
Officer Tanner Spicer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle; when the driver saw the lights, they immediately
pitched something out of the window. Sign #1. Upon approaching the driver of the stopped vehicle, the driv-
er was twitching, pulling hair, rubbing her head, and the passenger was equally twitchy. Sign#2. He then
spotted the pipe in the back seat. Sign #3. When the driver was asked if she was high, she admitted to doing
meth with her boyfriend and aunt in a hotel for three days, pointing out the meth tucked into her bra. A fe-
male WSPPD officer arrived to conduct a search and indeed found meth in the bra. Driver went to jmail
and was booked; formal charges pending for the driver; the passenger received a citation for his possession
offenses of marijuana and paraphernalia. Closed by Arrest.
Found Property Thursdsay 1139 hours
Reporting party brought in a wallet they had found in the street. Contact has not yet been made with owner.
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“I Got Caught”
Campaign
The “I Got Caught”
campaign rewards
kids “caught”
wearing a helmet
while biking,
scooter riding,
skateboarding or in
-line skating.
Starting Friday, July
4, Officers will be
on the lookout and
when local children
are caught
practicing safe
habits, they will
receive a gift
certificate for a
free small ice
cream cone at
Dairy Queen.
Please send us your
positive feedback
on our staff to:
pdrecords@
mendota-heights.com
Your feedback is greatly
appreciated and helps boost
the morale of our staff.
08/22—08/28 2014 YTD
Calls for Service 113 5314
Citations 9 827
Warnings 22 640
Police Reports 8 625
Response Time Average 6.05 5.73
If you are a Mendota Heights resident and you are going out of town or on
vacation, you can notify MHPD of your outing and we will be more than
happy to keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away. The House Check
Request online form is available on our website; we have similar forms in the
MHPD lobby and we will take your info over the phone.
MHPD offers monthly Car Seat Safety Checks. To schedule an appointment,
call 651.452.1366 to contact Ofϐicer Jennifer Fordham.
MHPD has a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the PD where Dakota
County residents can safely and anonymously dispose of their prescription drugs
and over‐the‐counter medication.
Check out the MH Crime Map!
Click below to search your neighborhood:
https://www.raidsonline.com
1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118