08 24 12 JTF08/24/2012
The Mendota
Heights Police
Department
Support Staff
Kim Henning
Sandie Ristine
Susan Donovan
Becky Pentel
Police Officers
Jerry Murphy
Scott Patrick
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Tanner Spicer
Todd Rosse
Chad Willson
Jeff VonFeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
School Resource Officer
Jennifer Fordham
Investigations
Mario Reyes
Tanner Spicer
Sergeants
Neil Garlock
Brian Convery
Eric Petersen
Reserves
Randy Pentel
Jesse Mettner
Jarrod Spicer
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
George Castillo
Chaplains
John Snider
Lynn Liberman
Frances Colon
Alberto Vargas
Butch Millett
David Wick
Chief
Mike Aschenbrener
DWI Arrest Saturday 0134 hours
Officer Chad Willson was on routine patrol in the area of Victoria Road
and Hwy 13 when he observed a vehicle travelling north on the south
shoulder of Hwy 13. When the vehicle did not turn into the Holiday gas
station parking lot and continued on Hwy 13, Officer Willson made a
traffic stop on the vehicle to deter an accident. At that time he noticed the
adult female was intoxicated and she admitted to driving after she had
been drinking. She was taken into custody and transported to the police
department for testing. Upon arrival at the department she asked Officer
Willson if she was in Stillwater …? He used the new DataMaster breath
test and her result was .19 BAC (reminder: the legal limit is .08). She
was arrested and booked for DWI and other related charges. Thank you
Officer Willson for taking this dangerous and impaired driver off the
road!
Assault/Mutual Saturday 1914 hours
Sgt. Eric Petersen and Officer Chad Willson responded to a residence on
report of an after the fact assault involving a former daughter and mother-
in-law. Upon arriving at the residence, they each talked to one of the
reporting parties (as they both had called 911) and then talked to several
witnesses as this occurred at a family gathering. A verbal argument
between the two parties turned into a physical fight and statements were
taken from all involved. The altercation seemed to be mutual and both
women had minor injuries. The report and statements will be forwarded
for the city attorney for review and possible charges.
Disorderly Conduct Sunday 0045 hours
While doing a “bar check” at a local establishment, Sgt. Eric Petersen
was asked to assist bar staff (bouncers and the manager) with removing a
very intoxicated and disruptive party from the bar. He was verbally
abusive towards bar staff and even attempted to physically fight the
bouncers. Once Sgt. Petersen became involved, this behavior continued
and Officer Peyton Fleming arrived to assist Sgt. Petersen with
controlling the man. After being identified by his driver’s license he was
transported to the Dakota County Jail. He appeared to be extremely
intoxicated but he refused to take a PBT and he was also too combative
to go to detox. He even wanted to continue this fight with the detention
deputies at the jail. He was charged with Disorderly Conduct and
luckily, no one was hurt.
“Just the Facts”
The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department
08/24/2012
Commercial Burglary Sunday 1644 hours
Officer Chad Willson responded to a call for a forced entry burglary at Green Lotus Yoga at The
Village retail shopping center. The business owner had been at the location in the morning for
AM sessions and then left for a few hours. When she returned to open the fitness center for
afternoon/evening sessions she noticed that the cash drawer was open and other electronic items
were disrupted. Officer Willson located pry marks on one of the doors on the north side of the
building which is where access was gained by the burglars. Wow, in broad daylight, on a
Sunday afternoon in Mendota Heights!! The business does not have surveillance or an alarm
system so there are no leads at this time.
Theft from Motor Vehicles All week Various
Officers took several calls this week on reports of theft from motor vehicles. One of them
happened at the parking lot of the Pool & Yacht Club, one in the parking lot for the Big River
Trail (the lot off of Lilydale Road), one at Valley Park (someone had parked to play tennis), and
another in the underground parking garage at an apartment building. In three of the four cases
items were stolen and one of them was interrupted before a theft occurred but the vehicle was
still damaged. Even if people think that they “hid” their purse or wallet, it doesn’t matter. These
thieves just assume there is going to be something in the car somewhere so they always find it
and steal it and then use the debit/credit cards. Never leave anything in your vehicle while
parked unattended!
Alcohol & Marijuana Thursday 0244 hours
Officer Steve Meyer initiated a traffic stop after seeing a vehicle without license plates drive out
from behind a closed business. Upon making contact with the driver and three passengers,
Officer Meyer smelled the distinct smell of marijuana and also alcohol coming from the inside of
the vehicle. The driver and owner of the vehicle was found to be in possession of marijuana
paraphernalia and was cited for that offense. One of the passengers, who was only 20 years old
had consumed alcohol and had a test result of .094 on the PBT. The other two passengers were
not cited. They were asked to move along as they all had residential addresses in Eagan.
Another Assault Thursday 1408 hours
Officer Scott Patrick met with the concerned family of an elderly woman who is a resident. They
are concerned about her welfare due to living conditions brought on her by a roommate and now
they feared that she had been assaulted by the adult male roommate and they requested that the
incident be investigated. Officer Patrick met with the victim and suspect and obtained
statements and it was determined that an assault did take place the previous week. Officer
Patrick assisted the family by also advising them about some resources for the woman so her
situation can improve. The report will be forwarded to the city attorney for possible criminal
charges and is also being forwarded to Dakota County Social Services.
Warrant Arrest Thursday 1030 hours
On Wednesday, Officer Jennifer Fordham assisted a parent with an ongoing family issue with
their 20 year old son. The son was to appear in Hennepin County for a court appearance on a
felony theft and before leaving for court, an argument ensued and the father no longer wanted to
attend court with his adult son. He asked for police assistance in removing the son from the home
and Officer Fordham ultimately gave him a ride to his apartment in St. Paul. She received a
phone call later in the day from the young man’s attorney, advising that he never did make his
court appearance and a bench warrant had been issued. The following morning, while on patrol,
Officer Fordham saw the young man driving back to his mom and dad’s house and initiated a
traffic stop. Along with Inv. Tanner Spicer and Officer Bobby Lambert, the unstable young man
was taken into custody, transported to the Dakota County Jail and will eventually be moved to
the Hennepin County Jail so his court appearance will be mandatory!
Have a great weekend! Jenny