07 10 15 JTF1
1
The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
SERGEANTS
Eric Petersen
Tanner Spicer
Peyton Fleming
Bobby Lambert
POLICE OFFICERS
Jerry Murphy
John Larrive
Todd Rosse
Jeff Vonfeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Nick Gorgos
Robin Nelson
Steve Hilyar
Phillip McCarty
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
Alberto Vargas
Lynn Liberman
Sue Plucker
Joel Detlefsen
Lenny Andrie
JULY 10, 2015
POLICE K9
Mendota Heights city ordinance states: that no owner of a dog shall permit his/her
dog to be at large in the city but shall keep such dog under restraint at all Ɵmes.
This ordinance is in place to protect people and animals.
While you as the dog owner may feel you have the friendliest dog around town, Mendota
Heights Police Department has recently taken preventable dog bite reports when dog owners
did not adhere to the leash law. A dog is an animal; animals can always be unpredictable.
Minnesota law, as well as city ordinance, is designed with safety and prevenƟon in mind.
MSS 347.22: ‘Damages, owner liable; ...If a dog, without provocaƟon, aƩacks or injures any
person who is acƟng peaceably in any place where the person may lawfully be, the owner of
the dog is liable in damages to the person so aƩacked or injured to the full amount of the
injury sustained. You, your dog and other humans and animals are best protected by keeping
your pet restrained both on and off public property.
If freedom is what you seek for your pet, there are designated dog parks where dogs are per-
miƩed to run off-leash; empty city parks and school playgrounds are not dog parks. A dog
park is defined as a park for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment
under the supervision of their owners. The Kaposia Landing Off-Leash Dog Park is located at
800 Bryant Avenue in South Saint Paul and the High Bridge Dog Park at 59 Randolph Avenue
are just two of the many dog parks nearby.
Being a responsible dog owner is more than just feeding Fido a grain-free diet or buying the
latest in trendy toys/ouƞits. It means obeying the dog laws.
Did you know dogs have been used in policing for over 100 years? Police K9 units were first
implemented in New York City & New Jersey in 1907. Police are able to use several breeds to
accomplish specific goals, but we Minnesotans are most familiar with e German Shepherd K‐9’s. Shep‐
herds are oŌen preferred by law enforcement because of their strength, intelligence, teach‐ability and
obedience. Shepherds also adapt to cold weather a liƩle easier than another popular breed, the Bel‐
gian Malinois.
The Malinois is a liƩle smaller and has a thinner coat than the Shepherd, which explains why they are
employed mainly, but not exclusively, in southern states like Georgia. Both breeds can be
mulƟ‐purpose dogs oŌen uƟlized in the detecƟon of narcoƟcs, explosives and accelerants (for arson
invesƟgaƟons). They are also used in the tracking and apprehension of human suspects, lost or missing
children and Alzheimer’s paƟents who may have lost their way. A dog’s sense of smell is 200 to 400
Ɵmes greater than a human’swhich is why they are a valuable asset to any police agency.
Many people think police K9s are always mean, unapproachable and dangerous. This is true in a few
cases, but overall K9s are very affecƟonate, loveable dogs and typically take on the personality of their
handler.
The Mendota Heights Police Department does not currently have a K9 unit. However, agencies in the
surrounding area do have K9 units and are always willing to assist us when we need one.
2
2
DWI/Drugs Saturday 01:22 hours
Officer Robin Nelson was notified by Officer Mike Shepard of a possible drunk driver. She responded to the
scene and made contact with the driver. She immediately noticed a strong smell of alcohol emanating from
the vehicle as well as bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech. The male driver admitted to having drinks
earlier in the evening. He agreed to perform field sobriety tests and provided a PBT; he failed all. The vehicle
was then searched and a pouch which appeared to contain cocaine was found. The male was then arrested
for DWI and Possession of Controlled Substance.
Found Property Saturday 09:49 hours
Officer Todd Rosse responded to a residence on a found property report. The RP stated he had found a
orange and black Magna Ripclaw 20” boys BMX bicycle on the corner of Emerson and Knollwood. Rosse
checked neighboring homes to see if the bicycle had an owner but it seemed to have belonged to no one.
Rosse took possession of the bicycle.
Theft of Gas Saturday 22:45 hours
Sergeant Peyton Fleming was dispatched to a local gas station on a report of a gas drive-off. Upon arrival, he
was met by the store employee who stated that a Chevrolet Blazer pumped $36.65 worth of gas and then left
without paying. The employee was able to gather a license plate number as well as brief suspect descriptions.
The description matched that of the registered owner. A letter was sent to the registered owner. Case
pending.
Burglary Monday 02:07 hours
Officer Phil McCarty along with Sergeant Peyton Fleming and Officer Nick Gorgos, responded to a residence
on a burglary in process where the residents could hear their garage door open and someone in their house.
The residents saw the suspect run from their home. Officers cleared the home and residents observed a 42”
RCA flat screen as well as a streaming device missing. The suspect had also entered their vehicle in which
they stole the garage door opener. Officers advised residents to unplug their garage door opener as it was now
in the suspect’s possession. The residents were unable to provide a suspect description. Under investigation.
Burglary Monday 02:24 hours
Officers Phil McCarty and Nick Gorgos were dispatched to a residence on a report of a burglary in process
where the female resident was sleeping and awoke to a male standing by her bedside shuffling through her
desk. She awoke and confronted the suspect and he fled the home. Items in the home had been thrown
about; however, nothing was taken. Their vehicles in the garage had also been ransacked and the only thing
taken was a small coin purse with loose change. The resident was able to get a brief description of the
suspect. Under investigation.
Tow/Stolen Vehicle Monday 06:21 hours
Officer Phil McCarty responded to an intersection where an unoccupied vehicle was found in a ditch and
looked as if it had jumped the curb and caused damage to the front suspension. McCarty had the vehicle
towed. A short time later, McCarty was advised by dispatch that the vehicle was a stolen vehicle out of
Burnsville. Burnsville was contacted and notified where to find the vehicle.
Theft Monday 09:03 hours
Sergeant Eric Petersen responded to a home on a theft report. Upon arrival, he was met by a construction
worker who had been working on the home. He mentioned that when he arrived to work, that the lock was
broken off the trailer that was parked on the driveway. Several tools were stolen from the trailer and have
been entered into NCIC. Under investigations.
3
3
SEVERAL Theft from Motor Vehicles
Officers received several reports of theft from vehicles that had occurred sometime in the overnight hours.
Most of the vehicles had been unlocked and some of the vehicles had items missing.
Harassing Communication Tuesday 14:30 hours
Officer Jennifer Fordham responded to a group home on a check the welfare request. Upon arrival she was
met by a staff counselor who stated that she was the one she was there to check on. She went on to say that
she has a restraining order against her daughter who has mental health issues and that she believes it was her
who called and reported the suicidal thoughts. Her daughter was upset that her mom quit paying her bills so
is retaliating. Officer Fordham issued a citation to the daughter for two misdemeanor charges, Violation of a
Harassment Restraining Order and Making a 911 Call With No Emergency.
Ordinance Violation Wednesday 23:34 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Steve Hilyar found an unoccupied vehicle parked in the parking lot of
Historic Pilot Knob. As he went to investigate further, he found two males walking up the path inside the
park. He made them aware of the sign posted that says the park closes at 10:00pm. Citations were issued to
both of the males for Ordinance 8.4-General Park Rules Violation.
Theft Wednesday 06:33 hours
Officer Nick Gorgos responded to a local gas station on a theft report. Upon arrival, he was met by store
employee who stated that a male came into the store, grabbed a map from the shelf, the cashier scanned it
and then the male left without paying for it. The male sat in his vehicle to read the map and then left. The
employee was able to obtain a license plate number and a suspect description. Gorgos viewed video
surveillance of the incident and the suspect description matched that of how the employee described him. A
letter was sent to the registered owner. Case pending.
BE VIGILANT, BE SAFE!
Remove valuables from your vehicle and lock it up! When
parking your vehicle outside of your attached garage, re-
member to remove your garage door opener. Call 911 for
any suspicious activity, persons or vehicles.
The more we know, the more we can help.
4
4
07/03‐ 07/09 2015 YTD
Calls for Service 147 3,721
Citations 11 308
Warnings 26 382
Police Reports 28 581
Response Time Average 5.23 5.32
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!
Our very own
Rogers Lake
Fishy Facts
Depth: 8 Feet
Size: 102 Acres
Lake Map: Click HERE
Fish Species:
Black Bullhead, Black Crappie,
Bluegill, Channel Caƞish,
Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth
Bass, Northern Pike,
Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch
Comments:
Rogers lake has been known
for its very nice Largemouth
Bass and Northern Pike
populaƟons. High temps in
2012 did cause a summerkill
of some of the Northern Pike,
which may reduce the
numbers and size structure
of the species in the coming
years. Rogers Lake is a great
lake to fish from a canoe. A
fishing pier is also available
but can be difficult to fish
when the vegetaƟon is
dense. VegetaƟon control is
conducted every Summer.
There is a high abundance of
small bluegill so the FiN
program uƟlizes Rogers Lake
in the Spring for stocking
Bluegill into other ponds.
More Info: DNR