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The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
SERGEANTS
Eric Petersen
Tanner Spicer
Peyton Fleming
POLICE OFFICERS
Jerry Murphy
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Todd Rosse
Jeff Vonfeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
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
CHAPLAINS
Butch Millett
John Snider
David Wick
Frances Cuenca
Alberto Vargas
Lynn Liberman
Sue Plucker
Joel Detlefsen
Lenny Andrie
MARCH 6, 2015
I oŌen get asked, why is that I see emergency vehicles, specifically police vehicles, driving with only
their emergency lights on? Let us first review state statute that gives specific guidelines on how an
emergency vehicles can respond to calls. Here is the Minnesota state statute that applies:
169.17 EMERGENCY VEHICLE
The speed limitaƟons set forth in secƟons 169.14 to 169.17 do not apply to an authorized emergency
vehicle responding to an emergency call. Drivers of all emergency vehicles shall sound an audible
signal by siren and display at least one lighted red light to the front, except that law enforcement
vehicles shall sound an audible signal by siren or display at least one lighted red light to the front.
This provision does not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive
with due regard for the safety of persons using the street, nor does it protect the driver of an
authorized emergency vehicle from the consequence of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.
In many cases the nature of a call will specifically dictate how we respond, whether lights and siren or
lights only. Some typical calls we respond to lights only are: Burglary alarms, Hold‐up alarms, or any in
progress types of crimes where a suspect/s may hear us approaching if an audible siren is acƟvated.
In most cases lights are used so we can arrive quickly, safely and to alert motorists but not to give
away our approach to a suspect commiƫng a crime. Now you know!
2014 Permit to Carry
Minnesota Sheriff’s reported to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA):
43,315 permits applied for
41,493 permits issued
15 permits suspended
6 permits revoked
22 permits voided
422 permits denied
MN law enforcement agencies reported that individuals with permits commiƩed 1,320
crimes in 2014. More than half were DWI’s or other traffic offenses.
As of today, the total number of valid permits in Minnesota is 181,402.
2014 Permit to purchase/transfer
Under Minnesota law, handgun transfers involve any sale, giŌ, loan, assignment or other
delivery to another person. If you possess a valid Minnesota permit to carry a handgun, that
permit consƟtutes a permit to purchase. You don't need to apply for a separate permit to
purchase.
In Mendota Heights 2014 alone, there were 68 applicants/renewals and 2 denials.
EMERGENCY LIGHTS
To view the full
2014 BCA Report:
Click HERE
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Prescription Fraud Monday 15:45 hours
Officer John Larrive was dispatched to Walgreens on a report of prescription fraud. Upon arrival, he was met
by the pharmacist who advised Larrive that earlier in the day, a female came in to the pharmacy with what
appeared to be a fake document to get a prescription filled. The document appeared to be a copy of an
original prescription with the dates changed, whited out comments as well as different punctuation, font and
numbering. Larrive made contact with the doctor listed on the prescription who stated that the female in
question had been discharged from his office for ongoing prescription fraud and that he had notified
Walgreens to not fill any prescriptions in her name. Case pending further investigation.
Health & Welfare Hold Tuesday 13:58 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert responded to the area of Commerce Drive on a domestic dispute report. Dispatch
advised a male and female party were heard yelling and that the ex-boyfriend left in a vehicle driving
erratically. The vehicle was located at the Holiday Gas Station where the female and a friend were located.
The female said her ex-boyfriend was last seen walking on Pilot Knob Road and had took her cell phone. The
male was upset about their recent breakup. The female wanted no charges pressed against him but was
concerned of his mental health as he stated “if he dies tonight it’s on you” and mentioned jumping off a
bridge. The male was later located at a Holiday Inn where he admitted to thoughts of harming himself and if
he cant be with her, he’s rather be dead. A Health & Welfare Hold was placed on the male.
Dog Bite Tuesday 15:47 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert received a phone call from a man on an after the fact dog bite incident. He stated
that he and his co-worker were at a residence hired by the homeowner to remove snow when a dog by the
name of “Nibbles” attacked the two males biting one of them above the knee and the other in the right thigh.
Neither bite drew blood however left puncture marks and bruises. The homeowner stated the dog is very
protective of her children and that this was not the first instance of her dog biting. Lambert made her aware
of the 10-day quarantine period as well as forwarded the report to the city for review. Nibbles was up to date
on vaccines however, was not licensed with the city. Lambert advised the homeowner she has one week to do
so.
Mental Health/Threats Tuesday 17:59 hours
Officer Robin Nelson responded to a group home on a patient who was threatening to sexually assault a staff
member. Nelson met with the victim who stated that a patient at the home who has mental health issues was
threatening to rape her among many other explicit comments towards her. She stated that the patient had
developed romantic feelings towards her but when she turned down the patient, he began the threats. In
speaking with the patient, he admitted to the comments and said he purposely says these things to get him
out of the home as he wants more freedom. The patient was placed on a 72-hour mental health hold.
DAC/IPS Tuesday 23:07 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Robin Nelson noticed a vehicle parked in the St. Thomas Academy parking
lot unoccupied with lights on. She ran the plate and it came back as having suspended plates and that the
registered owner had a cancelled IPS. Nelson then noticed a man walk out from St. Thomas, enter the
vehicle and drive-off. She initiated a traffic stop and after speaking with the driver, he admitted the vehicle
was his. Nelson placed him under arrest and he was transported to Dakota County Jail.
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02/27—03/05 2015 YTD
Calls for Service 93 1,009
Citations 6 80
Warnings 14 62
Police Reports 12 164
Response Time Average 4.50 5.07
Check out the MH Crime Map!
Click below to search your neighborhood:
https://www.raidsonline.com
1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118
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!
CONSUMER
BEWARE
PHONE SCAMS!
We have received an influx of
calls regarding phone scams.
These scam arƟsts are
becoming increasingly clever
and persistent. The keys to
handling these calls:
Do not answer a long
distance number or 800
number on your phone.
Let them leave a message.
If you do answer and they
ask you to confirm or
provide any informaƟon.
Hang up. Do not engage in a
conversaƟon and do not
provide or confirm any
informaƟon.
Call the legiƟmate company
direct to verify the reported
“concern” or “acƟvity.”
Talk with your phone
provider on best pracƟces to
stop or block unwanted
calls.
If you have given informaƟon
over the phone or have sent
money, you may be a vicƟm.
Call your bank if you are
concerned and call your
police department if you
have indeed been swindled
out of money or if your
idenƟty has been fraudulent‐
ly used.