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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 31, 2015
Take a deep breath. Smell that? Fresh cut grass. Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh
cut grass mixed with the warm weather and who can forget the fun we had as kids
riding with dad or grandpa on the riding lawn tractor?
While all those sound like great fun, one of them can have some very dire
consequences: children riding on the lawn tractor. Lawn mowers and tractors are very
useful and dangerous tools. According to http://www.childrenswishingwell.org/10-
lawn-mower-safety-tips/ , nearly 9,000 children across the country are taken to the
emergency room as a result of lawn mower accidents. Approximately ¼ of those
children injured are under the age of five. The police department responds to such
accidents, which rarely result in minor but rather, life-changing injuries.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry takes this risk seriously enough
they have enacted laws surrounding the subject; “Children under the age of 16 are
prohibited from operating power-driven snow-blowers, lawn-mowers and garden
equipment (http://www.dli.mn.gov/LS/ProhibWork16.asp). Children’s Hospital
experts and The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no children under
the age of twelve even operate a walk-behind mower (http://
www.childrenswishingwell.org/10-lawn-mower-safety-tips/).
Here are some tips to keep everyone safe while you keep your lawn looking
good:
No children riding on the lawn tractor.
Teach children not to run up to the mower or lawn tractor while it is in use.
Clear the yard of debris that may go airborne if struck by mower blades.
Keep others at a safe distance from the mower while cutting
Double check behind you before you back that lawn tractor up, small children are
easily run over without notice
Stay safe, get outside and make the most of every moment spent with family and f
riends this summer!
KEEPING THE GRASS SAFE
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Theft of Gas Sunday 00:12 hours
Officers Steve Hilyar and Denise Urmann were dispatched to the gas station on a report of a theft of gasoline
that had just occurred. The license plate given by the sales clerk did not match the description of the vehicle
also given by the sales clerk. Due to the description of the registered vehicle not matching the description of
the suspect vehicle that was provided, there will be no further investigation.
Assault Sunday 01:18 hours
Officers Denise Urmann and Steve Hilyar were called to a local bar to investigate a fight between two female
patrons that had occurred at the bar just minutes earlier. Two bachelorette parties were dancing on the floor
and not getting along. One female hit another female and a fight ensued. Two women were cited for Disor-
derly Conduct— Brawling or Fighting. Since multiple individuals were involved charges are pending for the
other women after a review of the surveillance footage.
Theft from Vehicle Sunday 12:07 hours
Officer Todd Rosse took a report over the phone of an after the fact theft from vehicle. The homeowner
stated that sometime in the evening hours suspect/s entered both unlocked vehicles parked in their residence
driveway. Latent fingerprints were taken and this case is currently under investigation.
Theft of Gas Monday 10:17 hours
Officer Todd Rosse responded to a theft of gas report. The sales clerk stated he thought it might have been
an accidental drive-off but the patron never returned to pay. A letter was sent to the registered owner of the
vehicle. Case is pending a response from the vehicle owner.
Identity Theft Monday 13:30 hours
Officer Jennifer Fordham responded to a residential address to meet with a party whose husband had been a
victim of identity theft. An unknown individual had filed 2014 taxes in the victim’s name and had also used
a credit card to make fraudulent purchases. There is no suspect information at this time.
Fraud Tuesday 09:18 hours
Officer Todd Rosse spoke with a party via phone regarding a fraud report. The victim had her debit card
used to make several purchases in the area. The card is still in her possession. Case pending investigation.
Found Property Tuesday 13:25 hours
Officer Todd Rosse was dispatched concerning some property left behind by a young male. Officer Rosse lo-
cated the address of the vehicle and spoke with the male party. He stated he recently had some items stolen
and went to look for them. He stated that when he saw the items he stopped his vehicle to see if they be-
longed to him. When they weren’t his he left them there. The witness must have seen him discard the cloth-
ing on the ground.
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07/24‐ 07/30 2015 YTD
Calls for Service 85 2755
Citations 10 339
Warnings 11 439
Police Reports 17 638
Response Time Average 5.69 5.34
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!
Repeat Offenders of State
TexƟng Law Face Higher
Fine StarƟng August 1.
Drivers who repeatedly
choose texƟng over
safety while behind the
wheel risk a higher fine
for violaƟng the law be-
ginning Saturday.
Under the enhanced law
drivers face a $225 fine
for second and subse-
quent violaƟons of the
texƟng while driving law,
in addiƟon to the current
$50 fine.
In Minnesota it is illegal
for drivers to read, com-
pose or send texts and
emails, and access the
web while the vehicle is
in moƟon or part of
traffic. That includes
siƫng at a stoplight or
stop sign. It is illegal for
drivers with a permit or
provisional driver’s li-
cense to use a cell phone
while driving, except for
emergencies to call 911.
Source: MN Department
of Public Safety.
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