03 25 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
MARCH 25, 2016
TIRE TREAD
Did you know that if it weren’t for water we would not need tread on our Ɵres? Think about
it. Most of us have seen the NASCAR pit crews changing a Ɵre or two during a race at some
point. Have you ever paid aƩenƟon to the Ɵres that they take off of their cars? They are
completely flat or “slick!” That is because they race on dry race tracks. Now, when it starts to
rain they pull into the pit, take off their racing “slicks” or flat treaded Ɵres and put on “rain
Ɵres” that have tread on them. The main reason they switch to the Ɵres with tread and the
reason we have tread on our vehicle Ɵres is the fact that the tread will allow water to escape
and be channeled away from the under‐side of the Ɵre. This allows the Ɵre to contact the
pavement for tracƟon.
The minimum amount of tread allowed to be on your Ɵre is 2/32nds of an inch but how can we
gauge this? You can go and buy a specialized Ɵre gauge but here is a Ɵp that only costs 26
cents. If you take a penny and sƟck it into your tread grooves with Honest Abe’s head
poinƟng down and you can see the top of his head your tread is less than 2/32nds of an inch.
If you take a quarter and sƟck it down into the tread with George Washington’s head poinƟng
down and the tread touches the top of his head you have 4/32nds of an inch of tread which is
the recommended minimum tread depth for driving in water. The safety of your occupants is
relying on your Ɵre tread so make sure you keep an eye on it.
Racing “Slicks” on the leŌ, Rain Tires on the right
Although you will always be asked to confirm the address of the emergency, when calling
from a land‐line phone, your address automaƟcally populates into the 9‐1‐1 system. When
calling from a cell phone, even from within a residence, we rely on you to provide either an
address or locaƟon informaƟon including landmarks and other idenƟfiers that may help
responders locate the emergency.
Callers using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) should be prepared to describe their
locaƟon when calling 911. If you use VoIP you should confirm your home address with your
internet provider.
Whether calling 9‐1‐1 or the general dispatch number, your call is answered by the same
experienced staff trained to triage incoming calls.
DCC dispatch staff is cerƟfied on Emergency Dispatch (EMD), which is a series of quesƟons
the dispatcher asks callers to help them beƩer assess medical emergencies and ensure
appropriate response.
The DCC is a 2‐stage dispatch center. While one dispatcher is talking with you on the
phone, another dispatcher is already sending help.
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FOUND PROPERTY FRIDAY 1819 HOURS
Officer Steve Hilyar was dispatched to a home on found property. Upon arrival, Hilyar met with the
homeowner who directed him to a wooded area near his home where there was a gray sweatshirt dangling
from some brush as well as a long black nylon bag. The property was found to be dry and appeared as
though it had not been out in the elements. He opened the black bag and found a .243 Caliber TIKK Model
T3 Rifle. DCC ran a check on the rifle and it came back as stolen out of Eau Claire County, WI. Hilyar
made contact with the Eau Claire Sheriff’s Office and the rifle was returned to its rightful owner.
MENTAL HEALTH SATURDAY 1217 HOURS
Officer Robin Nelson and Sergeant Tanner Spicer were dispatched to a home for a report of a suicidal male.
The reporter stated that the party in question had a history of depression and alcoholism and had stated he
was going kill himself. Upon the officers entering the residence the party was found asleep and unharmed
with no weapons. The party was then transported to the hospital by ambulance for a health and welfare hold.
BURGLARY SATURDAY 2031 HOURS
Officer Steve Hilyar and Officer Denise Urmann responded to a call of a theft that had occurred inside a
local restaurant. The reporter had stated that sometime during business hours, an upstairs office had been
forced into and money had been stolen. Entry to the upstairs offices were unlocked. It appears that
whomever committed this crime knew exactly what they were looking for. Evidence was collected and the
case is pending.
THEFT SUNDAY 1304 HOURS
Sergeant Tanner Spicer and Officer Robin Nelson responded to a local motel to investigate a theft. It was
reported that several items went missing from a motel room after a guest who had rented the room the
previous night had left. Officers contacted the person named as the renter who had told them he had rented
the room for a female acquaintance and provided officers with the contact information he had for her. Case
pending follow up with the female acquaintance.
THEFT OF GAS TUESDAY 1512 HOURS
Officer Todd Rosse responded to a local gas station concerning a gas-drive off. The reporting party described
the vehicle as a blue Trailblazer and had obtained the license plate number of the vehicle. A plate check
indicated that the plate did not match the vehicle described. The area was checked and the vehicle was not
located. Case is Inactive.
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DOMESTIC ASSAULT TUESDAY 1852 HOURS
Officer Nick Gorgos and Sergeant Peyton Fleming were dispatched to a local businesses parking lot for an
assault in progress. When the Officers arrived on scene both parties were separated and standing outside of
a vehicle. It was determined that this was a domestic dispute between a mother and juvenile daughter where
injuries were sustained by the mother. Daughter was arrested for domestic assault.
PD ACCIDENT WEDNESDAY 1533 HOURS
Officer John Larrive and Officer Robin Nelson responded to call of an accident involving a vehicle and a
plow truck. The Dakota County plow was actively plowing when a vehicle was unable to stop and struck the
rear driver’s side of the plow as she slid by. An accident report was completed. Case closed.
PD ACCIDENT/HIT & RUN WEDNESDAY 1546 HOURS
Officer Robin Nelson was dispatched to a property damage accident involving a school bus. The suspect
vehicle left the scene before police arrived and the license plate obtained does not match the vehicle on file.
A letter was sent to the registered vehicles owner instructing them to contact the MHPD. Case pending
contact from the vehicles registered owner.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT WEDNESDAY 2117 HOURS
Officer Phil McCarty, Officer Denise Urmann, Officer Michael Shepard and Officer Steve Hilyar all re-
sponded to a local restaurant reporting a disturbance. There were several people in the restaurant arguing
and threatening each other. After the officers did some investigating, they deemed that the disturbance
was a continuation of an argument about a possible stolen cell phone. The cell phone was in possession of
its owner and all parties left the scene after speaking to police and being identified. Case is Inactive.
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03/18 ‐ 03/24 2016 YTD
Calls for Service 123 1685
Citations 18 222
Warnings 10 221
Police Reports 18 234
Response Time Average 4.64 4.69
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
helps boost the morale of our staff.
HAVE A SAFE WEEK!
Have you been seeing an
increase in coyote populaƟon in
your neighborhood? It is true.
Coyote populaƟons are on the
rise in the Twin CiƟes. Most
coyotes avoid people and do‐
mesƟc animals but occasionally
they will kill sheep, turkeys,
calves and domesƟc cats and
small dogs.
The MN DNR does not trap,
shoot or relocate coyotes.
Where necessary, removal of
coyotes is the responsibility of
landowners or tenants however,
the City of Mendota Heights
does not allow firearm or
trapping per City Ordinance
5‐4‐3: TRAPPING AND HUNTING
PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS
You may contact your local pest
control agency or talk with the
city about geƫng a permit. If
you are concerned about
coyotes where you live:
Do not feed coyotes, secure
all garbage containers &
wildlife feeders
Confine small dogs and cats
to kennels unless supervised
Vaccinate all pets for rabies,
distemper, parvo and other
diseases recommended by a
vet
Consider coyote proof
fencing
Harass by shouƟng/chasing
coyotes that do not run.