03 20 15 JTF1
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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 20, 2015
Many people think that they have a ten day grace period to obtain current vehicle
registraƟon, or tabs aŌer the expiraƟon date. For example, if your tabs expired the end of
February, you would have unƟl March 10th to obtain current tabs. This is not true. Most
likely this is confused with obtaining the registraƟon. A person has unƟl the 10th of the
month aŌer the month of expiraƟon without being penalized. So, the boƩom line is if you
are operaƟng a motor vehicle with tabs that are expired even a day, you can be stopped and
you can receive a citaƟon.
One common reason people will give for not renewing their registraƟon is they never
received a noƟce. The Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services (DVS) mails a noƟce that
contains the renewal month, renewal fee, and name and address of who is listed on the
registraƟon. If for some reason you do not receive this noƟce, you are sƟll responsible for
renewal. If the vehicle is sold to a dealership, no acƟon is required. If the vehicle is sold to a
private party a report of sale must be filed.
Renewal can be done online or at any Driver and Vehicle Services locaƟon throughout the
state. The above informaƟon is covered in Minnesota State Statute 169.79
MN Motor Vehicle Registration
Warm weather has riders taking their motorcycles out on Minnesota roads, and
safety is criƟcal. Safety officials remind motorcyclists to be cauƟous of spring
hazards and remind other drivers to share the road.
Snow run‐off freezes at night, pavement is uneven and there is sand and gravel at
intersecƟons and turns. Along with difficult road condiƟons, traffic safety officials
provide these reminders:
Motorists are advised to watch carefully for motorcycles in traffic and always
look twice before turning or changing lanes.
Riders are advised to wear full, brightly‐colored protecƟve gear, including a
DOT—approved helmet.
Riders should travel at safe speeds, pay aƩenƟon, maintain a 2‐second following
distance and ride sober.
Riders should seek safety training.
Source: MN Department of Public Safety
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Domestic Assault Friday 08:27 hours
Officers Bobby Lambert and John Larrive responded to a business parking lot where a domestic assault was in
progress. When the officers arrived they spoke with the victim who stated her ex-boyfriend had assaulted her.
The victim states that at one point during the struggle the suspect covered her mouth with his hand so that
his supervisor and fellow employees would not hear her screams for help. Officers took statements from the
victim, witnesses and suspect. The suspect was transported to the Dakota County Jail where he was charged
with misdemeanor Fifth Degree Domestic Assault.
Domestic Assault Friday 20:03 hours
Officer Mike Shepard and Sgt. Spicer responded to a motel on a report of a domestic assault which had just
occurred. They found the suspect standing in the parking lot and the victim inside the motel room. The
victim had significant facial injuries and was intoxicated. An ambulance was called and she was transported to
the hospital. The male suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Dakota County Jail.
Medical Saturday 02:10 hours
Officer Mike Shepard was on patrol when he found a male sitting in his vehicle unresponsive. The male was
unable to speak and was unable to function without help. An ambulance was called and the man was
transported to the hospital.
Theft Saturday 11:29 hours
Officer John Larrive was dispatched to the Big Rivers Trail parking lot where he was met by the reporting
party and her sister. The two stated they parked their vehicle in the south lot then proceeded to walk the
train. When they returned to the vehicle, the drivers side rear window was shattered. The RP looked inside
and found her purse to be stolen. They stated no one else was in the parking lot or in the area when they left
for the walk. She was advised to contact her bank and credits card companies. There are no suspects at this
time. Case inactive.
Theft Monday 17:21 hours
Officer Robin Nelson was requested to call a woman in regard to a theft of a cell phone belonging to her
daughter. In speaking with the mother, she said her daughter was attending Friendly Hills Middle School in
art class when her phone went missing from the top of her desk. The daughter could not think of anyone
who would have taken the phone. She was advised to inactivate the phone. Nelson contacted the school
principal in an effort to collect video surveillance for the art class area. Case pending.
Domestic Assault Monday 19:31 hours
Officer Robin Nelson along with Sergeant Peyton Fleming responded to a home on an after the fact assault
that had taken place. Upon arrival, they were met by a woman and her daughter who was the victim of an
assault the day prior. The juvenile child stated she was sitting on bleachers at Henry Sibley High School
awaiting some of her friends when a group of five high school aged boys that she did not know approached
her and started swearing at her and calling her demeaning names. She then told the males to leave. One
male then pushed her down and the other males joined in with kicking, punching and calling her names. An
adult male ran over to the group to tell them to leave. The child’s friends then showed up and took her to
their house. Her right eye was bruised and swollen, she had pain on the right side of her body and ribs, her
lower right leg was bruised and her lip was bruised. Case pending.
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Missing Person/Runaway Monday 21:40 hours
Officer Robin Nelson was asked to call a man regarding a juvenile issue. Nelson called the man who stated
that his son had runaway from the home sometime between 1700 and 1730 hours. He stated that his son was
picked up earlier in the day from WSPPD on a shoplifting incident and was then dropped off at home. The
mother arrived home at 1730 and found her son missing. She stated that he has run away from home one
other time due to his recent behaviors of shoplifting and truancy. She is unaware where his friends live.
Shortly after, she received a text message from her son stating that if she gave him $30 that he would return
home. She does not believe her son to be suicidal and his cellular carrier was unable to locate him. A KOPS
alert has been put out for the juvenile male.
Crisis/Mental Health Tuesday 22:25 hours
Officer Robin Nelson along with Officer Nick Gorgos and Sergeant Peyton Fleming responded to a report of
an individual who had started a bonfire behind St. Peter’s Church. Upon arrival, officers noticed the
dumpster on the west side of the building was on fire. The Fire Department was called and the suspect was
on scene and handcuffed for questioning. The man started talking about how he is the chosen one and next
in line behind Pope Francis. When asked why he started the fire he stated “Because God told me to and he
has been chosen to serve Christ the Almighty.” It was determined that a 72-hour mental health hold would
be necessary.
Crisis/Mental Health Wednesday 02:24 hours
Officers Nick Gorgos and Robin Nelson responded to a home on a 9-1-1 hang up. Prior to arrival, they were
notified that a 21 year-old female had returned home to the residence intoxicated and was being physically
restrained. Officers arrived at the home and the mother of the daughter let them in. They could hear
banging on a bedroom door where it was the clear the daughter was kicking the door. Officer Nelson was able
to calm her down and speak with her. It was learned that she is prescribed medication for mental health
issues and was not taking them as directed on top of drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. The daughter
agreed to go to bed. As officers were leaving they could hear screaming again so they re-entered the home to
hear her saying such comments as “you’re going to leave me in my room myself” and had threatened her life
in the past but this was “not one of those times and tonight is not the night.” Ultimately the decision was
made that a 72-hour mental health hold should be placed on her.
Burglary Thursday 08:37 hours
Officer Todd Rosse was advised by dispatch that an unoccupied home for sale had a window broken out and
a cooler outside the window. Rosse went to the location, made entry and searched the home. In searching
the home, it looked as if a party had taken place. It appeared as though juveniles were the suspects as things
were in disarray such as clothes, food, beer and liquor bottles, beds had been slept in and the shower had
been used. The owner of the home was contacted. Under investigation.
Drunkeness/Damage to Property Thursday 13:58 hours
While on duty as the SRO at Henry Sibley High School, Officer Jennifer Fordham was notified that a male
student was found intoxicated, passed out by the track. In speaking with the male, it was learned that he was
recently kicked out of his house and had been staying in the track shed. The male was cited for Minor
Consumption and a possible suspect in the Burglary.
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03/13—03/19 2015 YTD
Calls for Service 135 1,310
Citations 15 109
Warnings 10 98
Police Reports 15 202
Response Time Average 4.56 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!
A resident called to thank the
PD for checking on their
home while they were away
for 20 days. The husband
said his wife had returned
home over the weekend and
it made them feel really good
when a squad car drove up
and shined a light on them to
verify who they were. The
residents said they are very
appreciate of what the PD
does for their residents.
On 3/12/15 Officers Bobby
Lambert and John Larrive
received a report from
dispatch that a husband’s
wife had just collapsed lying
face down, was unresponsive
and not breathing. Dispatch
advised the husband to start
CPR and while doing so, his
wife stopped breathing and
went into cardiac arrest.
Officers arrived and immedi-
ately placed an AED on her
while sƟll performing CPR.
With Lambert and Larrive’s
life saving techniques, the
wife eventually began breath-
ing on her own.
The husband came in to the
PD to personally thank
Lambert and Larrive for sav-
ing his wife’s life commenƟng
that they did a great job and
knew exactly what to do.