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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
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
DECEMBER 12, 2014
We field a lot of phone calls from concerned friends and family regarding persons who “should not be
driving!” Imagine someone whose driving ability is impaired, in control of a 4000 lb vehicle and the
damage they can do to themselves, to others and to property. It can be scary for caring loved ones.
Luckily, the state will evaluate at‐risk drivers, based on the following criteria:
Seizure or loss of consciousness.
Stroke/arthriƟs—inability to Ɵghtly grip a steering wheel, reduced physical strength, inability to
easily move foot from gas to brake pedal, inability to look over shoulder.
Various forms of demenƟa—reduced ability to react quickly and decisively to traffic condiƟons and
confusion.
Severe eye ailments—lessened ability to focus on an object and shiŌ focus quickly, lessened ability
to focus on fine details, reduced peripheral vision, poor night vision, sensiƟvity to glare, weakened
depth percepƟon.
MedicaƟon side effects/drug interacƟon (including over the counter) ‐ drowsiness, blurred vision,
dizziness, muscle relaxaƟon.
Hearing loss—inability to hear high‐pitched sounds, hearing loss that leads to inaƩenƟve driving,
poorly maintained or incorrectly worn hearing aids.
Catastrophic or chronic disease, such as Parkinson’s.
If you are concerned that a relaƟve, friend, or acquaintance is an at‐risk driver, you may request a
Driver EvaluaƟon through DVS. If you are a relaƟve, your statement will remain confidenƟal and your
idenƟty will not get revealed unless you are court‐ordered to do so. Your request must be in wriƟng
and include:
Full name and DOB of the at‐risk driver; include the individual’s driver’s license number if it is
available.
DescripƟon of the condiƟon and explain why you believe the person to be an at‐risk driver.
Your name, address and phone number.
Send your request to:
Driver and Vehicle Services
AƩn: Medical Unit
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 170
St. Paul, MN 55101‐5170
DVS will schedule an appointment for the at‐risk driver with a driver evaluator. The at‐risk driver will
receive a leƩer with the date and Ɵme of the appointment. If the driver fails to respond to the leƩer or
keep the appointment, his or her driving privileges may be canceled.
AŌer the interview the evaluator may require the at‐risk driver to submit a wriƩen statement by a phy‐
sician and pass a driver’s license test (knowledge and skills). If it is determined that the at‐risk driver
must surrender his or her driver’s license, the at‐risk driver is sƟll eligible for a MN photo idenƟficaƟon
card. For more informaƟon, click here.
Minnesota Statutes, secƟons 171.04; 171.13; 171.14
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Urgent Toys needed 7 days left!!!
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Drug Activity Friday 16:10 hours
Officer Robin Nelson responded to a call at home in regards to someone leaving a money bag with marijuana
inside on the homeowner’s front steps. The homeowner did not know have any idea who would leave such a
package at her home. Homeowner was advised to report any other suspicious activity. This case is currently
under investigation.
Theft Friday 14:23 hours
Officers John Larrive, Bobby Lambert, and Sgt. Eric Petersen responded to a theft at a local bar. A heavy set
man who had been sitting in the bar area stole money from an unlocked cash drawer. The bar owners saw
the man run out of the building and were able to recover $35.00 in cash found along the sidewalk outside of
the bar. This case is under investigation.
Domestic Saturday 19:08 hours
Officers Robin Nelson, Peyton Fleming and Nick Gorgos were dispatched to a home regarding a woman who
had been locked out of her house by her father. Upon arriving at the home, officers were met by the
daughter who stated her father had locked her out of the house and then drove away. The daughter
mentioned that the previous night, her parents had took her car keys and house keys away from her during an
argument and that just maybe her father did not see her return home when he drove away. A short time
later, the father arrived home and officers spoke with him about the situation. He claimed his daughter was
not allowed back in the home as he allowed her boyfriend to stay at their home due to his home issues and
caught the two having sexual relations so took the keys away from her. The father eventually agreed to letting
her stay but that her boyfriend was never allowed back, so she declined his offer and left the home.
Ding Dong Disturbance Saturday 23:06 hours
Officers Denise Urmann and Robin Nelson were called to an area by a park on ding dong ditch complaints.
Two unoccupied vehicles were noticed parked at the park and an official stop sign was spotted in it with fresh
snow as well as a rusty rifle next to it. The rifle was removed and a short time later, a group of juvenile males
were walking toward the squad. One male admitted to driving the vehicle containing the stop sign and rifle.
He stated that the stop sign was just laying there so he took it and the rifle was his fathers. He was very
cooperative and apologetic. His parents were made aware of the situation and he was advised to go directly
home. The rifle was returned by Urmann to his father.
DWI Sunday 01:20 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Denise Urmann noticed a vehicle tailgating the vehicle in front of it and
then quickly switched lanes to cut in front of the vehicle. Urmann initiated a traffic stop and came in contact
with the driver. The driver provided a passport from El Salvador and stated he had got a DWI when he was
15 so did not have a license nor did he have proof of insurance. He admitted to having drinks, stating he was
just trying to get home to his pregnant girlfriend because the baby was kicking. In checking the status of his
DL, it came back as revoked. He was escorted out of the vehicle to conduct field sobriety tests in which he
failed. The male was handcuffed and transported to Dakota County Jail.
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DWI Sunday 03:35 hours
Officer Tanner Spicer was dispatched to home on a one vehicle crash report. Upon arriving Spicer noticed a
vehicle parked with the front end up against a snow plow and garage door with severe damage on all sides.
Several people were standing around and Spicer asked if everyone was alright and if the driver was present. A
male stepped forward and had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his breath along with red,
watery eyes. In observing the scene, it was clear the vehicle crossed over the snowbank, hit a tree in one yard,
then a fence, then onto a second tree finally hitting the snowplow and driving it though the overhead garage
door. The driver was then given field sobriety tests which he failed, was arrested and transported to Dakota
County Jail.
Damage to Property Sunday 13:06 hours
Officer Nick Gorgos responded to a local business on a past action damage to property report. Gorgos met
with the complainant and a witness who observed a black SUV pull up extremely close to the complainants
vehicle and open and close his door a few times making sure he left a mark. The complainant said she had
been texting back and forth with her ex-boyfriend who said, “have fun trying to fix your car.” She said he is
angry because they are not together anymore. She did not want any further action taken but mentioned she
would look into getting an Order For Protection.
Assault Sunday 14:18 hours
Officer John Larrive took an after the fact assault report from a complainant who came into the PD. RP said
he went to a man’s home to talk about a truck he took from him when the suspect got upset and punched
him two or three times in the face then threw him to the floor. When asked why he waited to report it until
the next day, he said he just wanted to get away from the house. Larrive attempted to make contact with the
suspect with no success. Case pending.
Drunkeness Sunday 19:33 hours
Officer Robin Nelson along with Officers Peyton Fleming and Nick Gorgos responded to a local bar in a
report of a drunk belligerent guest. In meeting with the bartender, she stated that he was cut off from drinks,
left, then came back in demanding drinks and calling profound names to her. Officers found the drunk male
outside urinating by the patio. He was questioned by police at that time in which he could barely walk or talk
and began to resist them. He was then placed in handcuffs and placed in the squad where he was transported
to Ramsey County Detox and issued a citation for Indecent Exposure.
Burglary Tuesday 07:21 hours
Officer Nick Gorgos responded to a vacant warehouse where he was met by the complainant. The RP stated
that a Coleman Powermate 3250 Generator worth approximately $399 was stolen from the warehouse. The
warehouse is just a storage facility used to store some of his equipment. He mentioned the door was not
locked at the time and there are no surveillance cameras. Some measures were taken to locate the generator
with no success. Case inactive.
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12/5 ‐ 12/11 2014 YTD
Calls for Service 111 7,537
Citations 13 1,019
Warnings 12 882
Police Reports 18 913
Response Time Average 4.65 5.81
Check out the MH Crime Map!
Click below to search your neighborhood:
https://www.raidsonline.com
1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118
National Medal
Of Merit
SAMUEL ZIEN
We are proud to
recognize our very own
Mendota resident who
was awarded the Boy
Scouts of America
National Medal of Merit.
A Medal of Merit is
presented to those Scouts
who have performed an
act of service of rare or
exceptional character that
reflects an uncommon
degree of concern for the
well-being of others.
Samuel, an 11 year-old
Webelo Scout with the St.
Peter’s Church Boy Scout
Troop, provided first aid
to his mom who had
fallen, was unconscious
and bleeding. Sam took
care of the first aid and
notified family members
and the hospital. Doctor’s
reported that without his
quick thinking, his mom’s
injuries would have been
much worse.
Congratulations Sam!
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; you can complete a form found in our
lobby, or simply give us a call and we’ll help you out.
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.
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.
HAVE A SAFE WEEK!