10 17 14 JTF1
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
Robin Nelson
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
OCTOBER 17, 2014
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In October 1987, the ϐirst Domestic
Violence Awareness Month was observed. The intent was to connect battered women’s
advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their
children. That same year the ϐirst national toll‐free hotline was begun. In 1989 the ϐirst
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation was passed by the U.S.
Congress. Such legislation has passed every year since with NCADV (National Coalition
Against Domestic Violence) providing key leadership.
In 2013 in Minnesota:
At least 25 women were murdered in cases where the suspected, alleged, or convicted
perpetrator was a current or former husband, boyfriend, or male intimate partner.
At least 6 friends, family members or interveners were murdered in domestic violence‐
related situations.
At least 7 men were murdered in a case where the suspected, alleged, or convicted
perpetrator was a current or former intimate partner.
At least 12 minor children were left motherless due to domestic violence murders.
If you are a victim or know someone who is a victim of Domestic Violence, please check out
the following resources which may be helpful to you:
Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women
Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project
Day One—Domestic Violence Crisis Line
Domestic Violence - Too Close to Home
You may not be a victim yourself or may not even know anyone who is a victim, but don’t
be fooled, Domestic Violence is all around you.
In 2013 alone, there were approximately 23 Domestic‐Related arrests in the City of
Mendota Heights.
YOU can help. 16 Ways to Stop Domestic Violence in Your Community!
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Found Property Wednesday 12:20 hours
Officer Jeff VonFeldt met with a male in the PD lobby regarding a found cell phone. The male stated that he
found the cell phone in the restroom at American Bank. He stated no one at the bank knew whose black,
Alcatel phone it was. Attempts were made to find an owner by calling previous phone numbers but no
response. The phone was held for safekeeping at the PD.
T h e f t T h u r s d a y 1 2 : 2 8 h o u r s
Officer Peyton Fleming was dispatched to a home on a theft report. In meeting with the homeowners, she
stated she was at the Super America gas station a few days prior and had her wallet stolen. She had left her
purse inside the vehicle while she ran into the store and when she came back out she noticed her purse was
lighter. She looked inside and found their checkbooks were missing. She does remember seeing a female
sitting on the curb by her vehicle carrying a back pack when she went in. In checking with her bank, two
checks were used at Wal-Mart. Case pending.
Suspicious Person Thursday 19:47 hours
SRO Fordham was advised by the Assistant Principal at Henry Sibley that a suspicious male was watching and
video taping the girl’s volleyball game. The male has been seen on multiple other occasions. Officer Denise
Urmann along with Officer Peyton Fleming went to the school and observed the male snapping pictures of
the girls as they got closer to him. They asked him what he was doing and said he was watching someone play
from the away team. Staff asked the teammates and no one knew him. He was escorted out and when asked,
he did show some of the pictures and videos; they did not contain anything inappropriate but he offered to
delete them. The male was trespassed from the property as well as all ISD 197. It turns out the male has a
record of similar incidents. Surrounding areas have been notified of him.
Reckless Driving Saturday 00:00 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Steve Meyer heard State Patrol air information on vehicles racing in the area
of 35E and Hwy 110. Meyer went to the area of Pilot Knob and 494 because these racing cars typically
venture that way and did witness a large group of vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed. Meyer kept his eye
on one vehicle in particular and activated his lights. The vehicle driver stated he was trying to get home fast
from work because the check engine light came on. Meyer informed him he could clearly see him racing
another car; then the driver admitted to doing so. The driver was issued a citation for reckless driving.
Suspicious Persons Saturday 13:26 hours
Officer Peyton Fleming along with Officer Todd Rosse were dispatched to a local hotel on a suspicious
vehicle and damage to property call. Upon arrival the vehicle was located and checked with nothing
suspicious. Officers made contact with hotel staff who led them to a hotel room that had been damaged by a
male and female party who were no longer in the room. They found a puncture in the mattress, blood on the
curtains and a cigarette burn in the footrest as well as a substance they suspected was some sort of narcotic.
They further checked the area by the vehicle and the dumpster and located a male and female matching the
description of the suspects. The blood matched that of a cut on the male’s thumb and the substance was later
tested with negative results. The two were released.
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Suspicious Circumstances Saturday 17:18 hours
Officer Denise Urmann and Michael Shepard were dispatched to the area of Gun Club Lake on a suspicious
vehicle in the woods. The vehicle was located 100 yards deep in the woods with tree limbs cut and placed on
the vehicle to hide it. There was also signs of a camp area set up. Visible inside the vehicle were men’s and
women’s camouflage clothing, wigs, a cross bow and a drivers license. Due to the suspicious circumstances,
Officers gained entry to the vehicle. The drivers license of the female was ran and paperwork containing a
males name was scattered throughout the vehicle. A felony warrant was out for the male. Officers called for
assistance to check the area for the parties with no results. The vehicle was towed. A few hours later,
Urmann was dispatched to a church parking lot where a female appeared to be out of it. She was identified
by the name of the female’s drivers license found at the previous scene. She was crying and saying she
couldn't keep up with the male and he made her walk on the railroad tracks all night. HealthEast was called
for her and a further search for the male was unsuccessful. Under investigation.
A n i m a l M o n d a y 0 9 : 0 2 h o u r s
Officer Robin Nelson was dispatched to an area where chickens were in the road. She then noticed chickens
in a neighbors yard so attempted to make contact with the owners with no success. In scoping out the yard,
more animal cages and chicken coops were found in the backyard as well as a rabbit hutch containing several
rabbits. Feces were found scattered throughout the yard and the condition was very unkempt. Case referred
to City Code Enforcement.
Vandalism Tuesday 11:51 hours
Officer Robin Nelson responded to a home on a property damage report. Upon arrival she was met by the
homeowner who stated that her boat that was parked on the driveway was spray painted with black spray
paint on the left and back sides. It is unknown exactly when the vandalism had taken place as she was out of
town for the weekend. Please see REWARD on page 2.
Theft Tuesday 14:21 hours
Officer Jeff VonFeldt met with current Council Member Petschel who advised that several campaign signs
had been taken out of yards. She had no idea who or how many were taken them but it seemed as though
most of the signs were taken north of Hwy 110. She does not wish to press charges on anyone just would like
the signs returned.
Indecent Exposure Tuesday 19:07 hours
Officer Michael Shepard along with Officer Todd Rosse overheard through dispatch that Dakota County
Park Rangers and Reserve Deputies are asking assistance from Mendota Heights Police Officers. Upon arrival
they were met by Park Ranger and DC Reserve Deputy who were with a male that had been involved in sexual
activity at the overlook and the other male had fled. Urmann made contact with the male who said he was
walking on the trail and came across a man “showing his stuff” so he decided to also “show his stuff.”
Urmann asked the man if he thought it was normal to show your genitals in a public park and he said he did
think it was normal. Officer Rosse found the male that fled back at his vehicle and admitted to showing his
genitals to the other male. Both males were cited for Indecent Exposure.
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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.
10/10—10/16 2014 YTD
Calls for Service 125 6,403
Citations 11 919
Warnings 18 755
Police Reports 20 757
Response Time Average 7.67 5.92
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
Child
Product
Safety
Recalls
Safe Kids maintains a
comprehensive list,
updated monthly, of
child‐related recalls,
compiled by the
Consumer Prod‐
uct Safety Com‐
mission,
Food and Drug
AdministraƟon,
& the
NaƟonal Highway
Traffic Safety
AdministraƟon .
Recalls always have
expiraƟon dates.
2014 RECALLS:
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
For a complete list of
r e c a l l s o r t o s i g n u p
to receive emailed
recall noƟficaƟons,
please click HERE.