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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
APRIL 10, 2015
Digging in Your Yard? Call 811 First to Avoid 911 Later
April is Safe Digging Month in Minnesota. After a long winter homeowners are ready to
tackle spring yard projects. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Pipeline
Safety reminds Minnesota to call 811 before they dig to avoid an emergency and
unintentionally striking an underground facility.
Digging without knowing the location of underground utilities increases the likelihood of
unintentional damage, which can cause serious injuries, service disruptions, and repair costs.
State law requires anyone excavating to notify Gopher State One Call (GSOC) at least two
days before beginning a project so utility companies can mark the approximate location of
potentially hazardous underground facilities.
Source: MN Department of Public Safety
Pedestrian Safety
Remember, according to state statute, where traffic‐control signals are not in place or in
operation, vehicles must stop for pedestrians crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or
at an intersection with no marked crosswalk. The driver must remain stopped until the pedestrian
has passed the lane in which the vehicle is stopped. There are rules for pedestrians too‐by the
same state statute, no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or
run into the path of a vehicle; it will make it almost impossible for the driver to yield.
Be Safe and Be Seen: Make yourself visible to drivers
Wear bright/light colored clothing and reflective materials.
Carry a flashlight when walking at night.
Cross the street in a well‐lit area at night.
Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars, etc. before crossing so drivers can see you.
Be Smart and Alert: Avoid dangerous behaviors
Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
Stay sober; walking while impaired increases your chance of being struck.
Don’t assume vehicles will stop. Make eye contact with drivers, don’t just look at the vehicle. If a
driver is on a cell phone, he or she may not be paying attention to drive safely.
Don’t rely solely on pedestrian signals. Look before you cross the road.
Be alert to engine noise or backup lights on cars when in parking lots or near street parking.
Be Careful at Crossings: Look before you step
Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections, if possible.
Obey traffic signals such as WALK/DON’T WALK signs.
Look left, right, and left again before crossing a street.
Watch for turning vehicles. Make sure the driver sees you and will stop for you.
Look across ALL lanes you must cross and visually clear each lane before proceeding. Even if
one motorist stops, do not presume drivers in other lanes can see you and will stop for you.
Don’t wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while crossing. Source: www.pedbikeinfo.org
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Traffic Violation Friday 15:48 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert was on patrol when he ran vehicle’s license plate and learned the registered owner of
the vehicle was revoked. Officer Lambert stopped the vehicle and confirmed that the driver was in fact
revoked in Minnesota. The driver was issued a citation for Driving After Revocation and the vehicle was
towed.
Assault Friday 03:23 hours
Sgt. Spicer responded to an after the fact assault report that had occurred at a local bar. The victim told Sgt.
Spicer that he was defending his brother who was being assaulted by another bar patron when the bouncers
pulled him out the back door and assaulted him. After he was pulled free by friends he took a taxi cab to
escape. Sgt. Spicer went and spoke to the bar manager to get his side of the events. This case remains under
investigation while video of the event is being reviewed.
Suspicious Circumstances Saturday 02:22 hours
Sgt. Tanner Spicer, Officer Mike Shepard, and Officer Jeff VonFeldt responded to a report of unauthorized
people on the homeowner’s property . When officers arrived they saw several people running towards the
highway and into a wooded area. Some suspects were detained and they admitted that they were “scrapping”.
With the homeowner’s assistance police were able to determine that a large amount of aluminum and copper
had been moved around the property and placed into containers for easy transport. The homeowner did not
believe anything had actually been removed from the property.
Theft Sunday 07:59 hours
Officer John Larrive took a report from a homeowner who stated that when he went out to his vehicle this
morning he discovered someone had rummaged through it. Later that day while the victim was driving down
the street he discovered his backpack was on the side of the road. The victim stated he did not think anything
was missing. There are no suspects.
Burglary Monday 10:35 hours
Officer John Larrive responded to a business where evidence of forced entry on the front door had occurred.
The business owner stated when she arrive this morning she discovered the cash box on the floor and pry
marks on the front door. There are no suspects or witnesses.
Warrant Service Thursday 19:48 hours
Sgt. Tanner Spicer responded to an Mendota Heights address to locate an adult male with four confirmed
Ramsey County warrants. Sgt. Spicer observed the male at the home and took him into custody. He was
transported to Ramsey County Detention Center in St. Paul.
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04/03—04/09 2015 YTD
Calls for Service 112 1725
Citations 7 150
Warnings 8 133
Police Reports 26 266
Response Time Average 5.01 5.03
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!
Defensive Driving
The Basics
Scan Continually– to
the front, sides and
rear.
Create a cushion of
safety—a safe and
stress-free driving
space in and around
your vehicle.
Communicate with
other road users, su-
ing courtesy, com-
mon sense and coop-
eration.
Follow National
Safety Council’s
collision prevention
formula:
Recognize the
hazard.
Understand the
defense.
Act in time.
Source: MN Safety Council