02 19 16 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
Shayna Hoechst
Becky Pentel
RESERVES
Randy Pentel
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
CHAPLAINS
Butch Millett
John Snider
Alberto Vargas
Lynn Liberman
Sue Plucker
Joel Detlefsen
Lenny Andrie
FEBRUARY 19 2016
UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU TO KNOW
The IRS continues to warn consumers to guard against scam phone calls from thieves intent on
stealing their money or their identity. Here are several tips to help you avoid being a victim of these
scams:
Scammers make unsolicited calls. Thieves call taxpayers claiming to be IRS officials. They
demand that the victim pay a bogus tax bill. They con the victim into sending cash, usually
through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. They may also leave “urgent” callback requests
through phone “robo-calls,” or via phishing email.
Callers try to scare their victims. Many phone scams use threats to intimidate and bully a
victim into paying. They may even threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the license of their
victim if they don’t get the money.
Scams use caller ID spoofing. Scammers often alter caller ID to make it look like the IRS or
another agency is calling. The callers use IRS titles and fake badge numbers to appear
legitimate. They may use the victim’s name, address and other personal information to make
the call sound official.
Scammers try new tricks all the time. Some schemes provide an actual IRS address where they tell
the victim to mail a receipt for the payment they make. Others use emails that contain a fake IRS
document with a phone number or an email address for a reply. These scams often use official IRS
letterhead in emails or regular mail that they send to their victims.
Tax Day is April 18 this year! The regular tax return filing deadline is April 15. However, due to
the Washington D.C. Emancipation Day holiday being observed on April 15 instead of April 16,
2016, Tax Day is on the following Monday.
Tax Season Do’s and Dont’s
When using the United States Mail to send in your returns, always put them in a secured mail
box or drop it at the Post Office. You have personal information on these forms that
someone could use to steal your identity such as:
Social Security Numbers
Routing numbers for your bank accounts
Income information that someone could use to open credit accounts without your
knowledge
Home Address
When using the Internet:
Use all precautions you normally use for opening charge accounts with online businesses
Turn off our computers when not in use
When surfing the internet, hackers can get into your computer and gather personal
information
Check on fire walls and home computer security measures for your personal computer
There is software that encrypts or scrambles the purchase information you send over the
internet.
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DOMESTIC FRIDAY 1639 HOURS
Officer Robin Nelson responded to a group home on a report of two residents fighting. Nelson arrived and
the two had been separated by staff. The two began fighting because one was irritated that the other was
talking too much on the phone so they began hitting each other. The father of one of the males came to
take him home for the weekend.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT FRIDAY 1817 HOURS
Sergeant Bobby Lambert and Officer Mike Shepard responded to a local hotel on a party that was out of
control. It was also reported that a white male had been verbally abusive to hotel staff, threw a cup of hot
coffee on a manager and then left the hotel. The male was identified, video was available to review and
charges will be forthcoming.
DAC/IPS/WARRANT SUNDAY 1617 HOURS
While on routine patrol, Officer John Larrive observed a vehicle associated with a male whom Larrive has
had previous dealing with and knows he is not licensed. The driver of the vehicle appeared to be that
unlicensed male. Larrive ran the male and he came back as having a driving status of Cancelled IPS and an
active warrant. Larrive activated his emergency lights but the male continued on his way ignoring Larrive.
The male then pulled into a driveway and that is when Larrive ordered him out of the vehicle and onto the
ground. The license plates were removed from the vehicle, the vehicle was towed and the male was
transported to Dakota County Jail.
THEFT MONDAY 1014 HOURS
Officer John Larrive responded to a local school on a theft report. Upon arrival, he was met by a victim who
stated that she went into the school for ten minutes and when she returned to her vehicle, she noticed her
front passenger door window had been shattered. The suspect stole her diaper/lunch bag. Security video
will be reviewed.
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA MONDAY 1414 HOURS
While on routine patrol, Officer John Larrive observed a vehicle at a high rate of speed. Larrive conducted a
traffic stop and made contact with the two occupants. As he was speaking with the occupants he could smell
marijuana inside the vehicle. Larrive asked them if there was marijuana in the vehicle in which they replied
no. Larrive then saw a tied plastic bag with suspected marijuana in it inside the outer pocket of the drivers
jacket. The passenger then admitted he also had some marijuana on him. Both occupants were handcuffed
and placed in the squad. The passenger had a very small amount of marijuana so the marijuana was disposed
of and he was free of charges. The drivers marijuana was seized and he was issued a citation for Possession of
Marijuana In a Motor Vehicle.
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FRAUD TUESDAY 1433 HOURS
Officer Todd Rosse was dispatched to a local business on a fraud report. Rosse was met by the business
employee who stated that she was notified by a Bronx, NY Home Depot employee that a purchase totaling
$5,909.93 was in the process of being made using their business credit card. She told her that it was
unauthorized and that they do not have any authorized users on the east coast. As the Home Depot
employee was about to call the police, the suspect had left. It was then found that their business account had
also been used for several other large transactions at Home Depots located out east. Under investigation.
THEFT TUESDAY 1741 HOURS
Officer Nick Gorgos responded to a senior living home on a theft report. Gorgos was told that the victim
kept her purse in the cupboard and that a residents daughter and boyfriend were seen going through the
cupboards. When she went to retrieve her purse, she noticed $30 missing from it. The daughter and
boyfriend were questioned and both denied any involvement. Case inactive due to solvability factors.
DOMESTIC TUESDAY 2221 HOURS
Officer Phil McCarty was dispatched to a domestic disturbance report. He arrived and met with the
homeowner who stated that her brother and his girlfriend have been living with her for the past five months
and that they did not pay rent nor clean up after themselves which lead to this issue. McCarty noticed the
woman was a little unsteady on her feet and she admitted to having a few drinks. The parties eventually
decided they did not want to pursue anything and that they would just go to bed for the night.
TRAFFIC STOP TUESDAY 2352 HOURS
While on routine patrol, Sergeant Peyton Fleming ran a license plate and the owners status came back as
revoked and to be seized. The physical description of the owner matched that of the driver so Fleming
conducted a traffic stop. Fleming made contact with the vehicle owner who stated he knew his license was
revoked and also that he did not have insurance. A citation was issued to the owner for DAR, Operate
Vehicle w/Revoked Plated and No Ins. The plates were removed and the vehicle was towed.
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02/12 - 02/18 2016 YTD
Calls for Service 132 991
Citations 21 113
Warnings 16 127
Police Reports 21 137
Response Time Average 4.72 4.68
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 Officer 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!
Each year, the Polar Plunge
challenges thousands of brave
jumpers at numerous locations
around the state. It’s a great
way for everyone—individuals,
organizations and businesses—
to get involved in supporting
Special Olympics Minnesota.
All funds raised go towards
programming and events for
more than 8,000 athletes
statewide.
Think you have what it takes?
The concept is simple:
participants raise a minimum of
$75 and take a dip into one of
Minnesota’s frozen lakes. But
the Plunges are so much more
than that: They’re the kind of
fun and thrilling events that you
really have to experience to
understand. Grab some friends,
get pumped and
REGISTER TODAY!