09 05 14 JTF1
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are
the safest mode of transportation for children – if kids are on the bus – the real
“Danger Zone” is outside the school bus.
#1 Rule for parents, kids and drivers: Patience! The most frequent bus issue
law enforcement encounters are stop arm violations which are committed by both
adult and student drivers, racing to and from school and/or work. Motorists must
stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights and/or its
stop arm is extended when approaching from the rear and from the opposite
direction on undivided roads. Red flashing lights on buses indicates students are
either entering or exiting the bus. Slow down, be vigilant, change your route to
avoid bus stops, and be watchful for pedestrians, especially those standing at a
crosswalk or corner. Take your time and simply drive safe.
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
Nick Gorgos
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
SEPTEMBER 05 2014
The MN State Fair has closed and I return to my duties at the City of Mendota Heights. Each
year, I join ofϐicers and deputies from all corners of the state to assist the MN State Fair
Police Department with policing on the fairgrounds.
I spend 12 days on foot patrol, trying as much fair food as I possibly can and still walk. We
a l s o h a v e o f ϐ i c e r s a s s i g n e d t o g a t e s , s q u a d c a r s a n d t h e f u l l y functional jail. I proudly
represent the City of Mendota Heights by wearing the Mendota Heights Police uniform, but I
am actually paid by the Minnesota State Agricultural Society. The MN State Fair does have
its own police department, but during large events like the State Fair and Back to the 50’s,
they recruit ofϐicers from other a g e n c i e s t o a s s i s t t h e m . W h i le we all have different
department policies and different department command structures, we successfully pull
together to work on any case from a lost child to the very rare assault or robbery.
O n S a t u r d a y , A u g u s t 3 0 , 2 0 1 4 , w e b r o k e a l l ‐ t i m e a t t e n d a n c e r e c or d s w i t h a w h o p p i n g
252,000 people on the fairgrounds. By national standards, a city with 252,000 residents
would require a staff of over 370 police ofϐicers. We managed that day with just over 60
ofϐicers on duty. Ofϐicers who work the state fair are a close knit group who return year after
year.
Next year, when you go to the fair, look at all of the different shoulder patches on the ofϐicers
and deputies from around the state and know that we’re working hard to make the fair a
safe, enjoyable place to be!
Minnesota State Fair Police
Submitted By: Police Ofϐicer Michael Shepard
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For more information: CLICK HERE:
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Traffic Stop/DAC/IPS Friday 15:49 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer John Larrive observed a pickup truck pull over to the side of the road to grab
property that had fallen out of the bed of the truck. In running the vehicle plate, it came back clear; however,
the registered owner came back as DAC/IPS. Officer Larrive advised he was under arrest. The vehicle was
impounded and the driver was transported to Dakota County Jail.
T h e f t S a t u r d a y 0 9 : 0 0 h o u r s
Officer Jennifer Fordham and Officer Nick Gorgos received a call from the Facilities Technician for ISD 197
who stated a large piece of equipment (a hydraulic lift) had been stolen from Somerset Elementary. The value
of the machine is $7,000. The investigation led to suspect photos, documentation and video. Suspect was
located at home, but reluctant to answer the door since he had been high—when he did answer the door, he
admitted to the theft, saying he received, $66 for his scraping efforts. The suspect was arrested for and
charged with felony theft and remains in jail.
W a r r a n t A r r e s t S a t u r d a y 1 4 : 3 6 h o u r s
Officers Nick Gorgos and Chad Willson were made aware of an arrest warrant from Ramsey County for a
male who resides in Mendota Heights. Officers responded to the location, made contact with the male and
placed him under arrest and transported him to Dakota County Jail to satisfy the Ramsey County warrant.
W a r r a n t A r r e s t / D A R S a t u r d a y 2 2 : 5 1 h o u r s
While on routine patrol, Officer Peyton Fleming ran a routine license plate check and the registered owner
showed a DL status of revoked and a misdemeanor warrant out of Hennepin County for DWI. Fleming
initiated a traffic stop, confirmed her identity and placed her under arrest. The woman was able to provide
bail money and she was released with a citation for DAR.
Theft from Vehicle Tuesday 10:55 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert took a theft report from a vehicle owner who stated that sometime overnight, his
unsecured vehicle parked in his driveway had been entered and their personal checkbook stolen. Many
unlocked cars in the same neighborhood were rifled thru overnight but most had nothing stolen. Suspect
information pending; investigation on-going.
Damage to Property Tuesday 18:59 hours
Officer Todd Rosse responded to a home on a vandalism report. In meeting with the homeowner he stated
he drove his vehicle to several locations throughout the day and then noticed his driver’s side rear tire to be
vibrating. While in route to a gas station to check it out, the tire and rim fell off. It appeared all of the wheel
studs broke off but could not locate the lug nuts. A few days later, the lug nuts were found in the grass in his
yard which the complainant believes someone attempted to steal his tire. No suspects.
Suspicious Persons Thursday 1756 hours
Keep your things locked up! Officers were dispatched to two different fitness clubs in MH & Lilydale on re-
port of theft and suspicious person. The employee who called in the theft of wallet had seen an suspicious
person in the building and followed the male to a vehicle and obtained a plate. He provided a good descrip-
tion for the male, who had been wearing a blue jumpsuit and acting jumpy and nervous around the storage
cubbies. The other location reported a similar suspicious person attempting entry in the building but with
the wrong type of entry fob who also had a friend waiting outside. This activity is similar to other thefts of wal-
lets, phones and personal items at fitness businesses in the metro (and our own cities); investigation pending.
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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.
08/29—09/04 2014 YTD
Calls for Service 151 5469
Citations 9 834
Warnings 14 550
Police Reports 18 641
Response Time Average 6.61 5.78
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