09 08 12 JTF09/08/2012
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 x 2 Friday 2332 hours
While driving northbound Hwy 13, Officer Denise Urmann came across
what she believed to be a two vehicle accident on the side of the road.
The windshield of one of the vehicles was starred. A young male got out
of that vehicle with a bloody hand – and when asked what happened, he
explained that his transmission broke and in his frustration he punched
the windshield! While speaking to the driver, it became very apparent
that he was intoxicated. He failed all field sobriety tests and was
arrested for DUI. He was booked in the Jail and released early the next
day. His broken down vehicle was towed. Officer Meyer arrived and
spoke to the driver of the second vehicle, who had come from the same
bar as his friend. That driver was attempting to tow the disabled vehicle
with a tow strap. Driver #2 appeared even more impaired but did not go
along with the program. He was arrested for DUI and Refusal and was
provided an extended stay at the Dakota County Jail. His work truck
went on the same flatbed as his friends!
DAR /Warrant Arrest Saturday 1611 hours
Sergeant Eric Petersen was dispatched to a suspicious person call
where the caller stated she was approached by a male asking for money
and if there was any work he could perform. The caller gave a
description of the vehicle with a license plate. Sergeant Petersen
located the vehicle and when he ran the license plate the registered
owner showed a license status of revoked with a warrant. The vehicle
was stopped and the driver was arrested and transported to jail. The
vehicle was towed.
Assist Other Agency Monday 2139 hours
Sergeant Brian Convery assisted the Minnesota State Patrol with a
driving complaint. The vehicle was driving well below the posted speed
limit and was swerving all over the road. Sergeant Convery located the
vehicle and made a traffic stop. When he approached he noticed that
the driver had vomited on the door and she was displaying signs of
intoxication. There was also a small child in the vehicle. A state trooper
arrived and ran the driver through field sobriety which she failed. She
ultimately admitted to consuming a small amount of alcohol and being
on prescription medications. Sergeant Convery assisted with taking
care of the young child until a relative arrived while the trooper handled
the arrest.
Personal Injury Accident Tuesday 0744 hours
Officer John Larrive responded to a personal injury accident where a
bicyclist was cut off by a motorist who turned and cut off the biker.
The driver stated they did not see the biker due to the sun being in
their eyes. The cyclist sustained minor injuries but was not
transported to the hospital.
“Just the Facts”
The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department
09/08/2012
Theft from Auto Wednesday 2000 hours
Sergeants Petersen and Convery both took theft from auto reports from a parking lot
adjacent to the trail system. In both cases windows were broken to gain access to the
vehicle and valuables were taken. Both cases were forwarded to investigations for follow-
up, no suspects at this time.
Suspicious Person/Traffic Stop Thursday 0920 hours
Officer John Larrive responded to a hotel on a report of a male cutting up copper pipes in
the parking lot near a vehicle. Additionally, it was reported that there was a radiator on top
of the vehicle and a large amount of electrical wire nearby. Officer Larrive made contact
with the male who stated he had obtained the materials from numerous dumpsters and a
demolition site in a neighboring jurisdiction. Both of the parties were identified and found
that neither had a valid driver’s license or insurance. They were advised that follow-up
would be conducted and to not drive the vehicle due to being uninsured and neither having
a license. Officer Larrive went to the demolition site to gather further information and
determine if a crime had occurred, he met with the site supervisor who verified that the
materials had in fact come from their but he was unwilling to pursue that matter. A short
time later Officer Larrive was in the area of the hotel again and observed the vehicle being
driven by the male. The vehicle was stopped and he was arrested for driving after
suspension and operating a motor vehicle without insurance. The female registered owner
and passenger was arrested for not having insurance on her vehicle. Both were
transported to the Dakota County Jail and the vehicle was towed. A crime alert was sent
out to other agencies to see if the two may be suspects in recent thefts.
Safety First – School Bus Arm Violations
School bus stop arm violations can occur any time during the school year but they seem to be more
frequent at the beginning and end of the school year. Drivers of all ages are being cited for running the
stop arm of a school bus, and the number one reason most drivers give us is that they did not see the bus!
Many people have trouble with the issue of the yellow lights on the bus, when they start flashing they
don’t know if they should stop or go or just what to do. Here are some guidelines for what to do when
the yellow lights flash!
Bus drivers are required to activate the yellow flashing lights on the bus at least 100 feet before stopping
while in a 35 mph zone or less, and at least 300 feet when they are in a speed zone of 35 mph or more. It
is the opinion of many people that those distances may not be adequate and I know that bus drivers are
very good about adjusting to the traffic conditions as they drive their routes.
Drivers of vehicles who are encountering school buses need to slow down and be ready to stop if need be.
The stop arm may come out while you are attempting to go around. If you are meeting a bus, you have the
opportunity to communicate with the bus driver, but if you are coming from behind the bus then you
really have to be careful.
Treat the yellow flashing lights on the bus as being red. In other words, plan on stopping if you can. If
you are already going around or meeting the bus and the yellow flashing lights come on, then of course
you would continue. If you are way back and the yellow lights start flashing, then plan on stopping unless
for some reason the situation dictates otherwise. Driving past or meeting a school bus transporting
children can be a hazard, so again, slow down and be prepared to stop if needed.
Remember that when you stop for a school bus stop arm and sign, you have to stop at least 20 feet away
from the bus, and you can’t start moving your vehicle until the sign goes in and the red lights stop
flashing. If we all work together on this, we can see a great reduction in these violations.
Have a safe weekend, Denise & Peyton