11 20 15 JTF
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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
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
NOVEMBER 20, 2015
The final night of the 10
week Mendota Heights /
West St Paul Police
CiƟzen Academy was a
whirlwind! Even on
graduaƟon night, the
learning conƟnued as
they were informed on
other police maƩers,
including the following
roles:
Henry Sibley School Resource Officer, Jenny Fordham,
Dakota County Drug Task Force (DTF) Agent and Drug Dog
Reserve Officers and Police Chaplains,
K‐9 Mike and his Officer Mike Elam
City and County AƩorneys
The students enjoyed hearing about these roles that remain unknown to the general
public, yet play criƟcal roles to our ciƟzens and to our public safety partners. Overall,
this season proved to be an eye‐opening seƫng for our students as they experienced
the training, laws and reality of law enforcement & public
safety personnel.
If you have thought about joining this program, watch the
city website for next year’s informaƟon. It is typically held
every Thursday in the fall, September thru November, for
ciƟzens of Mendota Heights & West St Paul. It is a great
avenue toward fostering community/police relaƟonships.
POLICE CITIZEN ACADEMY GRADUTAION NIGHT!
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FELONY THEFT WEDNESDAY 1518 HOURS
Sergeant Eric Petersen responded to a local gas station on report of theft. Upon arrival he learned the suspect was
an employee who had been stealing for awhile. Documentation was provided and the suspect admitted to the theft
over $2000 in merchandise. Felony Theft charges were filed by the DC Attorney.
DWI REFUSAL/ACCIDENT WEDNESDAY 1710 HOURS
Sergeants Bobby Lambert and Eric Petersen with Officer Todd Rosse were called on report of a taxi that had driv-
en into a holding pond. Witnesses said the vehicle was sinking and someone was inside, but dispatch was soon
updated that the occupant was out and trying to swim to shore. Officers arrived, observed the submerged vehicle
and stumbling driver attempting to make it to shore. A rescue disc was utilized and the driver was pulled to safety.
The driver informed the officers that he had responded to the college to pick up a fare, but entered it, headed thru
it, then over the curb, up the embankment and then down into the pond, which is about 30 yards from the park-
ing lot destination. During this discussion, the strong smell of alcohol was coming from the driver. Ambulances
responded and checked him out but refused any medical care, insisting he was fine, and stating he had headed off
course due to the heavy rain. Officers investigated further and the driver submitted to a breath sample, but all at-
tempts throughout the incident were insufficient and the driver was uncooperative with the testing and implied
consent process. He was charged by formal complaint with Gross Misdemeanor DUI Test Refusal and booked
into the Dakota County Jail.
SALE OF ALCOHOL/TOBACCO TO A MINOR THURSDAY 1751 HOURS
Officer Mike Shepard, the MH Alcohol & Tobacco Compliance Officer, conducted compliance checks on local
businesses. Through the compliance checks, four businesses had employees who served underage persons: two
tobacco violations and two alcohol violations. Compliance checks are conducted in accordance with state and city
ordinance. The server receives criminal violations while the business will receive civil penalties.
SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE/DRUGS THURSDAY 1718 HOURS
Officers were called to a business for a person held against their will and a possible firearm. The vehicle and de-
scription of one involved party was given. Upon arrival a large white box truck was found and someone entering
the vehicle. The vehicle was approached, occupants were found and ordered out. However, as officer cleared the
truck uncooperative occupants were eventually found hiding inside the cab portion and two other related subjects
were found in the store. Once officers gained entry to the cargo area, they found a mobile workshop with sleeping
compartment within. A K—9 was called to respond to clear the compartment. Meanwhile, evidence of illegal drug
use was found inside the store where the females were found; they were subsequently arrested. The K-9 soon ar-
rived, cleared the vehicle of additional persons and hit on drug. The truck was seized pending a search warrant and
involved parties were interviewed and statements were taken. Case pending investigation.
SUICIDE MONDAY 2347 HOUR
Officer Nick Gorgos headed to a group home on report of a suicidal patient. Upon arrival, he found the party who
indicated she had suicidal thoughts and was willing to go the hospital for evaluation.
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FRAUD TUESDAY 1553 HOURS
Officer Phil McCarty took a walk in report from a party who had been notified by her mobile phone vendor that
fraudulent charges were found on her account and her identity was compromised. Steps were taken and the victim
was not out any funds. Case inactive.
WELFARE CHECK TUESDAY 1726 HOURS
A mother called to request a welfare check on her five year child who was with her father per the custody agree-
ment. The child had not called by the specified time. Upon arrival, Officer Phil McCarty found the child was
found happy and in good health with her father. Mother was notified and officers cleared.
THEFT WEDNESDAY 15:18 HOURS
A cell phone was reported stolen from a break room at a local business. Information was gathered by Officer Rob-
in Nelson for investigation. The phone was later found. Officer Cleared, case unfounded.
ACCIDENT WEDNESDAY 1012 HOURS
A truck driver, who admitted to following the vehicle in front of him to closely, swerved to avoid a collision when
it quickly stopped. The truck struck a utility pole. MSP waived a vehicle inspection but the driver has not yet pro-
vided proof of insurance. Traffic Citation pending.
COUNTERFEIT WEDNESDAY 1052 HOURS
Employee reported a suspect provided them with counterfeit money during a transaction. Upon arrival, Sergeant
Tanner Spicer arrived to inspect the counterfeit money. He learned the many had come into the store and pre-
paid for his gas with a $50 bill. The employee thought it was fake, confronted him and asked for the change back.
The counterfeit money was handed back to the suspect and the suspect was gone. Case inactive pending follow-up
information.
PROPERTY DAMAGE WEDNESDAY 1750 HOURS
Officer Robin Nelson responded to a business on report of a smashed window of a vehicle. No suspect infor-
mation or witnesses were found. Case inactive.
DOMESTIC, Part I WEDNESDAY 1210 HOURS
Sergeant Spicer and Officer John Larrive responded to a residence on report of a domestic. The female, intoxicat-
ed suspect had evidently hit the reporting party and threw his property. The victim only wanted to retrieve his
property and leave; he did not want to press charges. Officers cleared, no charges.
DOMESTIC, Part II WEDNESDAY 2147 HOURS
A mother called to report her intoxicated daughter (see above) had assaulted her. The daughter reportedly
smacked her mom’s head against the wall, punched her and ripped the phone out of the wall. The daughter’s PBT
came back as .309. Due to her condition she was taken to the hospital; formal charges are pending.
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11/13 ‐ 11/19 2015 YTD
Calls for Service 103 6433
Citations 11 504
Warnings 12 642
Police Reports 19 969
Response Time Average 5.72 5.4
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 or email
jennyf@mendota‐heights.com 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
HAVE A SAFE WEEK!
When you are worried or
feel unsafe or unseƩled,
especially during these
Ɵmes of unrest, we
would like to remind you
of our commitment to
you and your families:
We will protect and serve
our community, our ciƟ‐
zens and the public at
large. We will stand be‐
tween you and the threat
We are here to assist our
fellow public safety part‐
ners in their efforts to
protect and serve ciƟ‐
zens also.
We care about our com‐
munity and the persons
and property within. We
want you to feel safe and
we are here to ensure
that.