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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 27, 2015
Homeland Security
On March 21st, the Moose Country hosted the Mendota Heights Police Department and
Mendota Heights Fire Department’s 2nd Annual Wing EaƟng Contest.
We are proud to say that the Mendota Heights Police Department ONCE AGAIN defeated
the Fire Department! The last two standing, or should we say eaƟng, were MHPD’s Officer
Steve Meyer and MHFD’s Jake Husnik. It was a close one, but Officer Steve Meyer
(The Carnivore) won us the bragging rights for the 2nd year in a row!
$3,200 RAISED!
The money raised at the event will go towards a memorial and benefit travel expenses to
get our aƩending Mendota Heights Police Department staff to accompany the Patrick family
to Washington D.C. to support NaƟonal Police Week. This year at police week they will be
recognizing and honoring Police Officer ScoƩ Patrick.
Keep posted for a video of the wing eaƟng contest!
Waxing nostalgia never ends when talking about April Fool’s Day and the good ol’ days of
pracƟcal jokes. However, take the Ɵme and use April fool’s day as a reminder to stay vigilant
and not be lulled into a false sense of security. No. The sky is not falling, but there are
significant religious holidays that take place in April and keeping an eye out can’t hurt.
The Department of Homeland Security launched the “If You See Something, Say Something”
campaign in 2010. This campaign aims to educate and encourage the public’s involvement in
the safety of their communiƟes by providing partnership opportuniƟes with local and state
law enforcement agencies. EducaƟon is achieved through public service announcements,
printed materials, and digital signage just to name a few.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency
Management Division has several programs and iniƟaƟves such as the Buffer Zone
ProtecƟon Program, OperaƟon Stonegarden for northern border protecƟon, and the Urban
Area Security IniƟaƟve (UASI) for the Twin City Metro area to aid in Minnesota’s overall
security.
Please visit hƩps://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/homeland‐security/Pages/default.aspx to
learn more about how you can help your local law enforcement agency keep everyone safe.
Remember, we’re all in this together!
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Gas Drive-Off Friday 09:36 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert was notified of a theft of gasoline by a gas station attendant. The employee reported
that a white male had just pumped $58.00 worth of gas and left without paying. The attendant was able to
provide a license plate number of the suspect vehicle. A letter has been sent to the registered owner of the
vehicle and follow up pending response.
Interference with Privacy Friday 14:36 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert received notification from Dakota County Social Services for an investigation of a
residence in Mendota Heights. A juvenile had reported that she found non-consensual videos of herself
taken by another juvenile resident of the home. Formal charges are pending based on the completion of a
full investigation.
Fraud Sunday 15:59 hours
Officer Nick Gorgos took a report from a resident who stated someone called her residence pretending to be
a police officer and that her grandson was in a vehicle where drugs were found. The “officer” instructed the
woman to wire $67,000 from her bank account to a bank address in New York. The case is currently under
investigation.
Found Property Sunday 23:31 hours
Reserve Officer Randy Pentel found a cooler of Coors Light beer and a board game in the middle of the
roadway in the 800 block of Wagon Wheel Trail. The items are being stored at the Mendota Heights PD for
the owner.
Burglary Monday 09:01 hours
Officer Larrive responded to two residents who stated they went down to their underground garage to get
their bicycles ready for spring and found that their bikes were no longer there. It is unknown when the bikes
were stolen other than sometime over the winter. There are no suspects.
Mental Health Monday 17:27 hours
Officer Michael Shepard along with Sergeant Tanner Spicer were dispatched to a crisis call at a group home
where a female had intentionally cut her own leg. Upon arrival, officers were led to the woman whom was
known from previous similar situations. Officers observed a large laceration on her right leg. In asking why
she cut herself, she stated because she was depressed. HealthEast arrived a short time later and transported
the woman to the hospital.
Domestic Assault Monday 18:46 hours
Sergeant Tanner Spicer along with Officer Michael Shepard were dispatched to a home on a report of a
husband/wife domestic assault. Officers arrived at the home and were greeted by the wife who stated her
husband had assaulted her. The view of the living room was in disarray and the husband was sitting on the
couch. The wife stated she witnessed her husband trying to eat raw chicken then urinate himself and the
couch. When she tried to clean the couch, he got upset and pushed her into the piano which formed a bruise
on her arm. Officers then approached the husband who stated nothing had happened. When he stood up,
he was very unsteady on his feet, had urinated himself and smelled of alcoholic beverage. The husband was
placed under arrest for Domestic Assault and transported to Dakota County Jail.
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Found Property Tuesday 11:03 hours
Officer John Larrive received a call from dispatch on found property at Resurrection
cemetery. Larrive reported to the cemetery and met with an employee who directed
him to a samurai sword that had been removed from its sheath and stuck in the
ground. There were fresh footprints in the snow. The employee said there were no
burial sights where the sword was found and he did not see anyone in the area. The
samurai sword was pulled out of the ground and transported to the PD where it was
placed into evidence.
Fraud Tuesday 14:34 hours
Officer John Larrive met with a woman on the PD lobby who wished to report fraud on her checking
account. The woman stated that there were four unauthorized transactions on her account that is shared
with her husband. She said she is not missing any checks and has in her possession all of their debit and
credit cards so is unsure how her information was obtained. Under investigation.
Mental Health Wednesday 14:52 hours
Officer Robin Nelson along with Officer John Larrive and Sergeant Peyton Fleming responded to the same
group home officers were called to two days prior for the same woman attempting to harm herself. Staff
personnel had informed officers that the woman had walked out of the home and tried to run out into traffic.
The woman suffers from many disorders and her suicidal behavior comes and goes. The woman was placed
on a mental health hold.
Theft of Gas Wednesday 18:11 hours
Officer Robin Nelson was dispatched to a local gas station on a gas drive off report. Upon arrival, she was
met by the store employee who said the suspect pumped $20.15 worth of gas and drove off. The employee
was able to get a suspect and vehicle description and also was able to show Officer Nelson the surveillance
footage. The vehicle and plate matched. A letter was sent to the registered owner. Pending follow-up with
the registered owner.
Theft Wednesday 20:30 hours
Officer Robin Nelson responded to a local business on a theft report. Upon arrival, she was met by a woman
who stated that when she returned to her vehicle after a yoga session, her car had been broken into and her
purse had been stolen. A short time later, the woman’s husband advised her that the credit card fraud
department called him advising of a $494.95 transaction at Walgreens in St. Paul. Nelson advised the woman
to cancel all of her credit cards and inform her insurance company of the vehicle damage. Nelson made
contact with Walgreens and the manager was able to get her a copy of the video surveillance. Case pending.
DWI Thursday 22:45 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Robin Nelson observed a vehicle traveling 83MPH in a 55MPH zone. She
activated her emergency lights and made contact with the driver. She immediately could smell alcoholic
beverage coming from the male as well as observed watery, bloodshot eyes. The driver admitted to consuming
six alcoholic beverages within a five hour timeframe. He was asked to perform field sobriety tests in which he
failed. Nelson placed the male under arrest for DWI.
Officer Bobby Lambert just
had to get his hands on it!
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03/20—03/26 2015 YTD
Calls for Service 114 1,440
Citations 17 133
Warnings 14 112
Police Reports 25 228
Response Time Average 5.52 5.10
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!
Go ahead....
STRAIN your BRAIN
Keep your brain sharp to
keep your driving skills
sharp!
Once we hit middle age,
mental agility begins to
decline and thought
processes slow down. By
exercising our brains, we
can enhance memory as
well as our ability to focus
and stay alert.
So strain your brain to
keep it sharp!
Put your brain to work
learning new skills
Play thinking games and
problem‐solving games
like Scrabble and Trivial
Pursuit.
Change your rouƟne.
Try driving a different
route to work or
brushing your teeth
with your “other” hand.
Stay physically acƟve.
Watch your diet. High
cholesterol and high
blood pressure can
affect the brain as well
as the heart.
Stay connected to
family and friends—but
not while driving!