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2016-12-02 Friday News 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener CAPTAIN Kelly McCarthy SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming POLICE OFFICERS John Larrive Todd Rosse Jeff VonFeldt Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Nick Gorgos Robin Nelson Steve Hilyar Philip McCarty Weston Raberge Frank LaNasa INVESTIGATIONS Chad Willson SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Jennifer Fordham COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER Eric Hagelee 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 DECEMBER 2, 2016 Did you know the use of the term "cop" to refer to a police officer came about because a "copper" is someone who captures or seizes something in English slang. The word "cop" came to mean apprehension in the mid-19th century, and since police officers often capture or seize criminals, English officers came to be known as "coppers." The tradition spread to the United States, and eventually it was shortened to "cop." There are a number of theories concerning the true origin of the term "cop." One of the most common theories suggests that it is an acronym for "constable on patrol," but there is no concrete evidence to back up this interpretation. Most acronym-based words entered the language in the 20th century, and police officers have been called cops or coppers for much longer. Another common misconception is that the term refers to copper buttons that an officer would wear on his uniform, but this is similarly unsupported by any historical evidence. Police officers have been called coppers since at least 1846, and by 1859, the short- ened term entered common use. Before 1846, police officers in England were referred to as "Bobbies," named after Sir Robert Peel, the creator of the first Metropolitan Police force in London in 1828. “COP”  Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, loose connections, or frayed or bare wires. Discard all damaged cords.  Don't connect lights while adjusting them on a tree or house. Inspect lights and plug them together before hanging.  Indoors or out, use only lights that have been tested for safety. The lights should have the Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) label.  Don't let light bulbs rest on tree needles and branches. Use a clip or twist-tie to keep bulbs upright.  Watch young children around lights and decorations with small pieces that could be ingested.  Unplug tree lights and decorative outdoor lighting before leaving the house or going to bed.  If you buy an artificial tree, check for a "flame resistant" label. 2 SUSPICION/DOA THURSDAY 11/24 1429 HOURS Officers responded to a local wooded area in reference to a suspicion call. Officers located a deceased adult male. Case under investigation. THEFT THURSDAY 11/24 2120 HOURS Officer responded to a theft from vehicle complaint. While on scene, Officer observed two vehicles had their windows shattered previously and several items inside the vehicles were stolen by an unknown individual(s). FRAUD FRIDAY 11/25 0821 HOURS Officer responded to a phone call referencing fraudulent charges on the caller’s account. Starter checks used in Florida. The bank advised and the caller was reimbursed and the account was closed. Unable to track where suspect cashed checks. Status inactive. CIVIL FRIDAY 11/25 1030 HOURS Officer received phone call reporting suspicious activity on eBay. Private party trying to sell company equip- ment. Caller is contacting eBay and will follow-up. MISSING PERSON/RUNAWAY FRIDAY 11/25 1659 HOURS Officers responded to a call regarding a 15 year old autistic male ran who away while on a hike and was not dressed for the elements. West St. Paul, State Patrol chopper and Farmington K9 requested and canceled after child was found safe after having walked to his residence in Eagan. TRESPASSING FRIDAY 11/25 1833 HOURS Officers responded to a report of a disturbance at location. The homeowner trespassed an adult male and an adult female requested to be transported by ambulance to the hospital for a voluntary mental health evalua- tion. PD ACCIDENT/HIT & RUN SATUDAY 11/26 1446 HOURS Officer responded to an after the fact report of a property damage accident in the parking lot. The caller locat- ed fresh damage on her vehicle after parking it and found another vehicle in the lot with damage that may have been caused from the accident. The officer located the registered owner inside the business, who admit- ted to hitting her car with his. Parties exchanged information. Did not meet minimum requirements for state accident report CHECK WELFARE SATURDAY 11/26 2216 HOURS Officers responded to a call regarding a local resident who didn't show up for work and could not be contacted by her boss. Her car was at home and she would not come to the door. Her sister let in officers at the home- owner's husband's request. The homeowner was asleep in her room. Case closed. 3 WARRANT ARREST SATURDAY 11/26 2332 HOURS Routine license plate checks revealed the registered owner of a vehicle to have a gross misdemeanor warrant. Traffic stop was made and registered owner was found to be the driver. The warrant was confirmed and the driver was arrested without incident. The vehicle was picked up by a relative and the driver was transported to the Dakota County Jail. REC STOLEN PROPERTY SUNDAY 11/27 0327 HOURS A vehicle was observed leaving a location known for drug activity. Officers initiated a traffic stop and the driver fled on foot. A perimeter was set up and a K9 track led to the apprehension of the suspect. The vehicle in- volved was found to be stolen and a stolen license plate was also on vehicle. Driver transported to the Dakota County Jail for multiple offenses. SUSPICIOUS PERSON SUNDAY 11/27 0856 HOURS Officers investigated a report of a suspicious male in a clown costume on a hiking trail near a local park. Ef- forts to locate the suspicious male were unsuccessful, extra patrols conducted. THEFT SUNDAY 11/27 1520 HOURS Theft from auto in an underground garage. No suspects. No surveillance available. THEFT SUNDAY 11/27 1744 HOURS Officers were dispatched to a report of a suspicious male at a gas station putting merchandise into a garbage bag. Suspect was confronted by store clerk and he left the area. The area was checked for the suspect but he was not located. The dollar amount of the theft was not known at the time of the theft, the store manager will conduct and inventory to determine what was taken along with a dollar amount. Follow-up pending. THEFT SUNDAY 11/27 1930 HOURS Officers responded to a report of theft. It was reported that while two vehicles were parked at the location, an unknown person(s) took had all of the wheels and tires off of the vehicles without consent of the owners. No suspects or evidence available. Report made for insurance purposes. THEFT MONDAY 11/28 0744 HOURS Officers responded to business concerning a theft of vehicle parts. The suspect(s) stole lug nuts from a vehicles wheels with intent to steal the wheels . It is believed the suspect fled the area before taking the wheels/tires. The victim went to leave with the vehicle and the tires fell off. A neighboring business had 2 vehicles tires/ wheels taken. No suspects. IDENTITY THEFT MONDAY 11/28 1100 HOURS An officer responded to a call reporting unauthorized use of the victims debit card. There were three transac- tions in all. The victim’s bank has been notified, account changed and new card issued. 4 BURGLARY MONDAY 11/28 1202 HOURS Officers responded to a burglary report. The victim reported items stolen from his vehicle. The suspect forced entry into the building, went into the underground garage and broke into the victims vehicle. The suspect gained entry by smashing a window on the vehicle. There is video, case pending. MOTORIST ASST MONDAY 11/28 1247 HOURS Officers responded to a vehicle that went off the roadway. Driver was delivering for a business and attempted to turn around getting the truck stuck. Pulled out by a private tow. Damage to grass was photographed and attached to the report. PI ACCIDENT TUESDAY 11/29 0809 HOURS Officers responded to a two car personal injury accident. Vehicle #1 was traveling eastbound in the lot, follow- ing the aisle. Vehicle #2 was traveling southbound through the parking lot, cutting across the parking stalls. Both collided in the aisle. Driver and passenger of vehicle #2 complained of minor injury and were checked by paramedics. State accident report completed. CRISIS/MENTAL HEALTH WEDNESDAY 11/30 1702 HOURS Officers responded to suspicious person call. Reporting party found to be suffering mental health / crisis situa- tion. Hold completed and reporting party transported to the hospital. FRAUD THURSDAY 12/1 0825 HOURS Officer took a walk-in report from a victim of identity theft and credit card fraud. The victim reported several thousands of dollars spent via internet purchases. Victim was provided identity theft victim resources and a case number for the bank fraud department. Report made. 5 6 11/24- 12/1 2016 YTD Calls for Service 159 7972 Citations 19 730 Warnings 24 709 Police Reports 26 956 Response Time Average 5.89 5.72 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!  If possible, try to have your items mailed to your work address. If not, try and arrange to have a neighbor or friend pick up the package for you.  More times than not, a delivery service will be able to hold onto your package for you to arrange a specific deliv- ery time.  Don't leave your packages unattended in your vehicles.  Ask the mail service to get a signature confirmation before leaving the package at your home.  If you see something you think is suspicious, please call 911!