05 27 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
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
Jon Clayton
Dan Iverson
CHAPLAINS
Butch Millett
John Snider
Alberto Vargas
Lynn Liberman
Sue Plucker
Joel Detlefsen
Lenny Andrie
MAY 27, 2016
GAS GRILL SAFETY TIPS
Liquid petroleum (LP) gas or propane, used in gas grills, is highly flammable. Each year about
30 people are injured as a result of gas grill fires and explosions. Many of these fires and
explosions occur when consumers first use a grill that has been leŌ idle for a period of Ɵme
or just aŌer refilling and reaƩaching the grill’s gas container. To reduce the risk of fire or
explosion, consumers should rouƟnely perform the following safety checks:
Check the tubes that lead into the burner for any blockage from insects, spiders, or food
grease.
Use a pipe cleaner or wire to clear blockage and push it through to the main part of the
burner.
Check grill hoses for cracking, briƩleness, holes, and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp
bends in the hose the hose or tubing.
Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. If you
can’t move the hoses, install a heat shield to protect them.
Replace scratched or nicked connectors, which can eventually leak gas.
Check for gas leaks, following the manufacturer’s instrucƟons, if you smell gas or when
you reconnect the grill to the LP gas container. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off
the gas and don’t aƩempt to light the grill unƟl the leak is fixed.
Keep lighted cigareƩes, matches, or open flames away from a leaking grill.
Never use a grill indoors. Use the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any
building. Do not use the grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or under a surface
that can catch fire.
Do not aƩempt to repair the tank valve or the appliance yourself. See an LP gas dealer
or a qualified appliance repair person.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instrucƟons that accompany the grill.
Consumers should use cauƟon when storing LP gas containers. Always keep containers
upright. Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors. Never store or
use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the grill.
To avoid accidents while transporƟng LP gas containers, consumers should transport the
container in a secure, upright posiƟon. Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk.
Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas
to escape.
Consumers should use extreme cauƟon and always follow manufacturer’s instrucƟons when
connecƟng or disconnecƟng LP gas containers.
Grills manufactured aŌer October 1, 1995, are required to have three addiƟonal safety
features to eliminate leak hazards: 1) a device to limit the flow of gas in the event of hose
rupture; 2) a mechanism to shut‐off the grill; and 3) a feature to prevent the flow of gas if
the connecƟon between the tank and the grill is not leak proof. Consumers should consider
purchasing grills that have these safety features.
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BURGLARY FRIDAY 0543 HOURS
Officer Denise Urmann responded to local residence for a report of a theft. The victim stated when he got
up and went outside in the morning he noticed that his garage door appeared to be damaged and partially
open. Once the victim went inside his garage he noticed a number of items had been stolen. The victim also
noticed a garage door opener missing from an unlocked car parked in the driveway. Officer Urmann entered
a stolen item with a serial number into the NCIC database. Case pending.
FRAUD SATURDAY 1318 HOURS
Officer Todd Rosse responded to a call on a report of fraud. The victim reported that he had received a letter
from a retail credit card company showing an updated address. The victim contacted the company letting
them know he did not open this card and that it was fraud. The victim was also notified by another credit
card company as he had reached the maximum card limit on a card that he has had for over 10 years. The
victim has since cancelled all of the credit cards and reported the fraud to the credit bureaus. Case pending
follow up.
PI ACCIDENT SUNDAY 1449 HOURS
Officer John Larrive responded to West St Paul to assist with a report of a bicyclist having been struck by a
vehicle. Upon arrival Officer Larrive was advised that a juvenile bicyclist was traveling northbound through
an alley and entered out on onto the street. The bicyclist struck the passenger side of a vehicle traveling
eastbound. The juvenile did sustain some injuries but was sitting down conscious and talking and was trans-
ported to the hospital. Case closed.
VEHICLE THEFT MONDAY 0221 HOURS
Officer Phil McCarty and Sergeant Peyton Fleming both responded to similar reports of vehicle thefts in the
same general location. It was reported that two separate business had box trucks stolen from the same lot at
around the same time. It was also reported that a third truck had been tampered with in what looked like an
unsuccessful attempt to steal a third vehicle. Both vehicles have since been recovered. Evidence from the
crime has been collected. Case pending.
THEFT OF FUEL MONDAY 1419 HOURS
Officer John Larrive responded to a local gas station on a report of theft of fuel. The suspect pumped gas in-
to a vehicle and left without paying. Officer Larrive searched the area for the suspect vehicle and was unable
to locate. The reporting party was able to take down a license plate number that Officer Larrive was able to
use to locate the registered owner. The suspect vehicle has been listed in a number of other incidents includ-
ing a theft in a nearby city. Case pending contact with owner.
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THEFT TUESDAY 1023 HOURS
Officer Todd Rosse responded to the police lobby concerning a theft report. The victim reported that while
he was out of town for a couple of days he had mail stolen from his mailbox. The victim stated he checked
with his neighbors and confirmed that they did not collect his mail while he was gone and that they had
received daily mail during this time. No suspects at this time. Case inactive.
FRAUD TUESDAY 1841 HOURS
Sergeant Eric Petersen responded to the police lobby to a report of fraud. The victim stated that when he
was checking his bank statement earlier he noticed a number of unauthorized charge on his account. The
victim was still in possession of his card when these transactions had taken place which coincided with the
times the thefts occurred from a local retailer it appeared that the charges occurred online. Case inactive.
CHECK WELFARE WEDNESDAY 0713 HOURS
Officer Todd Rosse and Sergeant Tanner Spicer responded to a report of a male near a local path who
appeared to be intoxicated. When officers arrived they located a male sitting on a bench near the path with
dried blood on his face shorts and arms. In speaking with the male, officers noticed he had slurred speech
and was disoriented. The male admitted to drinking too much the previous night and had fell on his face but
was OK and did not want medical attention. The officers then explained that due to his injuries and
unknown state of mind he was being placed on a hold and was taken to the hospital. Case closed.
NAPPER/DAR THURSDAY 0257 HOURS
While out on routine patrol Officer Michael Shepard observed a vehicle blocking an intersection with the
driver sleeping inside. The driver admitted to Officer Shepard that he had fallen asleep waiting for the light
to change and that he had been up since early the previous day. Officer Shepard determined that the man
was not intoxicated and ran the mans information to find that the driver has a revoked driving status and
was cited for DAR and impeding traffic. The vehicle was towed and the owner was dropped off at a local gas
station to wait for his ride. Case closed.
FOUND PROPERTY THURSDAY 0743 HOURS
Officer Robin Nelson took in two passports dropped off at the MHPD that were found on a local road. In
doing some research Officer Nelson was able to locate a phone number belonging to both owners. Officer
Nelson called the number and let the owners know that their passports were at the MHPD. It is unknown
how the passports ended up on the road but they were united with the owners later in the day. Case closed.
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5
7-2-7
Who doesn’t love a good
campfire, with friends
and family, smores,….
When you get those
flames going, just re-
member there needs to
be a healthy dose of
caution and safety with
the fun.
Be sure to follow the
law/ordinance & ensure:
The fire is not bigger
than 3’W x 3’H,
Burn only clean, safe
materials and do not in-
clude grass, leaves,
treated timbers, plastics,
Ensure fire is attended
by responsible,
competent person until
fully extinguished,
Be watchful of weather
conditions—fires are not
recommended when the
ground is dry and the
wind is up. Check for
local fire limits,
Keep your fire over 20’
away from any building
or structure.
05/20 ‐ 05/26 2016 YTD
Calls for Service 132 3071
Citations 12 389
Warnings 23 387
Police Reports 29 429
Response Time Average 4.96 4.98
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!