07 26 19 JTF
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The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
JULY 26, 2019
CHIEF
Kelly McCarthy
CAPTAIN
Wayne Wegener
SERGEANTS
Eric Petersen
Tanner Spicer
Peyton Fleming
POLICE OFFICERS
John Larrive
Todd Rosse
Chad Willson
Philip McCarty
Weston Raberge
Peter Renteria
Cara Hogan
Tony Patton
Ryan Yauch
Tommy Albindia
Eric Hagelee
Leif Vandersteen
INVESTIGATIONS
Nick Gorgos
SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICER
Steve Hilyar
COMMUNITY SERVICE
OFFICER
Josh Rosenberry
SUPPORT STAFF
Kim Richter
Trista Miller
Shayna Hoechst
Becky Pentel
RESERVES
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
CHAPLAINS
Butch Millett
John Snider
Alberto Vargas
Lynn Liberman
Sue Plucker
Joel Detlefsen
Mike VerWay
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Ù®òÙ’Ý ½®ÄÝ, Ä ã«ù çÝ ã«®Ù Ö«ÊÄ ®Ä «ÄÝ‐¥Ù ÃÊ?
The new hands‐free law does not change anything for teens under 18 with a driver’s permit or provi‐
sional driver’s license: They cannot make or answer calls while driving (hand‐held or hands‐free). They
can use their phone in hands‐free mode in the following situaƟons:
√ Using their phone as a GPS device, but only in hands‐free or voice‐acƟvated mode. They must set
their desƟnaƟon before driving. They can’t hold their phone at any Ɵme.
√ Listening to music or podcasts in hands‐free or voice‐acƟvated mode is OK, but hand‐held scrolling
through playlists or channels is not allowed under the law.
√ Calling 911 in an emergency situaƟon. If there’s an immediate threat to life and safety, they can
use the phone in either hand‐held or hands‐free mode.
DÊÝ ã« Äó «ÄÝ‐¥Ù ½ó ÙÝÝ ÝÃÙã óã«Ý?
Drivers can use them as a convenƟonal watch to check Ɵme, but smart watches are considered an
electronic communicaƟons device under the hands‐free law. That means the device has the same
restricƟons as a cell phone. Drivers can use a smart watch the same way they use a cell phone as long
as it’s by one‐touch or voice acƟvaƟon, but can’t type, text or do anything else prohibited under law.
IÝ ®ã ½¦½ çÄÙ ã« Äó ½ó ãÊ ÝãÊÖ ÊÄ ã« Ý«Êç½Ù Ê¥ ã« ÙÊ Ä «Ê½ Ãù
Ö«ÊÄ ãÊ Ã» ½½, ãøã, ã.?
If it’s not an emergency, stopping on the shoulder of an interstate freeway or controlled access high‐
way is already illegal in Minnesota. Although it is legal to stop along a state or U.S. highway, or a county
road, it’s not always safe to do. We strongly encourage anyone who needs to use their phone to find a
safe place to pull off the road completely. A convenience store or gas staƟon, for example, will be safer
for you and other road users.
DÊÝ ã« Äó ½ó ÖÖ½ù ãÊ ½ó Ä¥ÊÙÃÄ㠦ĮÝ?
Under the new law, hand‐held phone use is allowed in an authorized emergency vehicle while per‐
forming official duƟes. However, some agencies have taken a proacƟve approach to reduce or elimi‐
nate hand‐held phone use. For example, the Minnesota State Patrol has insƟtuted a policy that re‐
quires troopers to use their phones only in hands‐free mode. Unfortunately, there are circumstances
in which emergency vehicle drivers need to be on their devices to carry out their duƟes. Although this
is different than situaƟons other drivers find themselves in, the dangers are the same. We're well
aware of those dangers from a law enforcement perspecƟve and are encouraging people to follow the
law regardless of whether they have an exempƟon.
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HANDS FREE IDEAS THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK
1. Don’t use your phone when you drive. Put your phone in the glove compartment,
trunk or backseat or turn on a do‐not‐disturb app and enjoy the drive. It’s free, and
you will be surprised at how many new sights you will see on your drive. A number of
large, successful companies have adopted no‐phone‐use policies for their employees
while driving on company Ɵme, and aŌer geƫng used to it, employees reported being
happier and just as producƟve as when they used their phones.
2. Use a single earphone that has the microphone, and you are hands‐free.
Remember, using earphones in both ears at the same Ɵme is illegal in Minnesota.
3. Pair your phone to your current car or truck. If your exisƟng vehicle and phone can
talk to each other, pair up and go hands‐free.
4. Buy an auxiliary cable and connect your phone’s earphone jack to your car’s AUX
jack. You can operate your phone by voice or single touch and listen through your car’s
audio system. Auxiliary cables can be purchased for less than $5.
5. If your car is older and doesn’t have an AUX jack but has a casseƩe player, you can
buy an adapter that fits into the casseƩe player and allows you to connect your phone
through the earphone jack. The casseƩe adapters cost about $30.
6. Buy a holder to clip your phone to the dash. You can use it in a voice‐acƟvated or
single‐touch mode. Clips can be simple and cheap or complicated. Make sure you get
one that holds your phone securely. Prices range from less than $5 to $50.
7. Buy a Bluetooth speaker or earphone to pair with your phone. There are many aŌer
‐market choices for both, all of which let you go hands‐free. Prices are generally in the
$10 to $50 range.
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FORGERY—2XXX PARK LN 07/18/19, 1557 hours
Officers took a report of a check fraud/forgery. Check had been placed in out‐going mailbox at home and the owner
learned it never cleared with the company. The bank, however, showed it had cleared in another person’s name.
Case is under invesƟgaƟon.
HIT & RUN—1XXX SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWY 07/18/19, 1650 HOURS
Officer dispatched to take a report concerning a driver who had struck another vehicle and a stop sign, then leŌ the
area without stopping. Contact was made with the vicƟm who took a picture of the suspect driver and his vehicle as
he was leaving. The suspect was ulƟmately located and arrested at home in a neighboring city by the MN State Patrol
on suspicion of DWI, and also cited by this officer for Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
ASSAULT—1XXX NORTHLAND DR 07/19/19, 0008 HOURS
Officers were dispatched to an assault in progress and conducted an invesƟgaƟon. Suspect was transported to the
hospital due to her level of intoxicaƟon and injuries. Case will be forwarded to the city aƩorney to review for
charging.
AUTO THEFT—7XX SOUTH PLAZA WAY 07/20/19, 2043 HOURS
Officers responded to take a report of a stolen vehicle from a parking lot. Caller leŌ unsecured vehicle in the lot and
returned a few hours later to find it missing. No suspects or witnesses, case under invesƟgaƟon.
FOUND DOG—1000 JAMES RD 07/20/19, 2300 HOURS
Officer was dispatched to a found dog. The dog's owner was not found and the dog was transported to the South
Saint Paul Animal Hospital.
DWI—SIBLEY MEMORIAL/WACHTLER AVE 07/21/19, 0334 HOURS
Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. AŌer invesƟgaƟon, the adult female driver was found to be intoxicated
and placed under arrest for DWI. She was ulƟmately transported to the Dakota County Jail to be booked and
released.
FOUND DOG 07/21/19, 0739 HOURS
Officers were dispatched to check on a loose dog. Officers arrived to the area and located the small dog in the middle
of the street. Officers were able to capture the dog, who appeared to be in poor condiƟon, and transported it to the
animal hospital for an emergency evaluaƟon. AŌer compleƟng the evaluaƟon, the dog was boarded at the South St.
Paul Animal Hospital.
FOUND PROPERTY—1000 DAKOTA DR 07/22/19, 0935 HOURS
Officers were dispatched retrieve a found purse. Owner was contacted and stated her purse had been stolen from
her vehicle in Minneapolis. Owner was provided with idenƟty theŌ prevenƟon informaƟon and advised to report the
recovery to the other agency.
ASSIST OTHER AGENCY—35E/HWY 62 07/22/19, 1216 HOURS
Assisted other agency in stopping a vehicle involved in a theŌ. Vehicle was spoƩed on 35E near Hwy 62. A high risk
traffic stop was conducted and driver was taken into custody without incident. The reporƟng agency was informed,
responded and took custody of the driver and the stolen property. At their request, vehicle was impounded by
Mark's Towing. MHPD did not search the vehicle. Referred to other agency.
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HIT & RUN—720 MAIN ST 07/23/19, 2046 HOURS
Officer responded to a call regarding a hit and run property damage crash. No suspect informaƟon available. Case
inacƟve pending suspects or other evidence.
FOUND PROPERTY—2XXX LEXINGTON AVE 07/24/19, 1909 HOURS
A wallet was found turned into police. The owner was contacted and advised the wallet was found. Wallet entered
into the evidence room for safe keeping unƟl the owner can pick it up. Report as informaƟon only.
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07/19—7/25 2019 YTD
Calls for Service 200 6855
Police Reports 20 669
Citations 31 980
Warnings 53 1480
Response Time Average 5.94 6.55
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 Vacation/House Check Request online form is
available on our website; you can also complete a form
found in our lobby, or simply give us a call!
MHPD offers a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of
the PD where Dakota County residents can safely &
anonymously dispose of their prescription drug
medication. This program is mainly meant to keep
narcotics off the streets and dispose of medications in
environmentally sound ways.
** No needles/sharps. Visit the Green Guide for tips.
** Please visit the Dakota County Recycling Zone for
helpful resources for all safe disposal solutions.
Car Seat Checks—TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
Please visit the MN DPS for more information.
TUESDAY
AUGUST 6TH, 2019
Bring neighbors
together
Build relaƟonships
Get to know your
public safety partners
Share safety concerns
Learn crime
prevenƟon Ɵps
Great for adults and
kids
Enjoy yummy treats
Check out police
squads and fire trucks
REGISTER BY
AUGUST 2ND, 2019
By using the aƩached
form or by going to the
city website to com‐
plete the form.
WE LOOK FORWARD
TO SEEING YOU!
Questions/Comments?
Email us at:
pdrecords@
mendota-heights.com
Questions? Call our Non-Emergency Line @ 651.452.1366.
Need Public Safety Response? Call 911
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