02 22 13 JTF2/22/13
Heights Police
Department
Support Staff
Kim Henning
Susan Donovan
Trista Miller
Becky Pentel
Police Officers
Jerry Murphy
Scott Patrick
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Tanner Spicer
Todd Rosse
Chad Willson
Jeff VonFeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
School Resource
Officer
Jennifer Fordham
Investigations
Mario Reyes
Chad Willson
Sergeants
Neil Garlock
Brian Convery
Eric Petersen
Reserves
Randy Pentel
Jarrod Spicer
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
George Castillo
Chaplains
Frances Cuenca
Joel Detlefsen
Lynn Liberman
Butch Millett
Sue Plucker
John Snider
David Wick
Chief
Mike Aschenbrener
Officer Floyd Arndt #2212 passed away on Sunday, February 17th at 0730
hours. Floyd was one of the first three Police Officers hired by the Mendota
Heights Police Department. In the Spring of 1962, the 4 year‐old City of
Mendota Heights hired its first full‐time police officer, Chief Martin Baldwin
away from the South Saint Paul Police Department. Over the next few
months, Chief Baldwin began building a police department, now MHPD.
Included in the formation of the new department was Floyd Arndt, a military
police officer with three years of experience. Floyd was involved in big
changes at MHPD during his career, welcoming more officers to the staff due
to increasing calls for service. Floyd retired from the Army Reserve in 1993
and MHPD in 1995. On Thursday, after a ceremony at St. James Lutheran
Church, Floyd was laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery.
“Just the Facts”
The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department
2/22/13
Cell Phone Joys Friday 1513 hour
Officer Scott Patrick received a call from the DCC that was relayed from the Ramsey County
911 center to the Dakota County 911 center when it was likely a call for State Patrol. Caller
reported witnessing a man strike a woman then get in his car and drive away. The victim was
last viewed on Pilot Knob approaching the interstate.
Phone Harassment Friday 1949 hours
The DCC relayed a phone call to Officer Peyton Fleming about phone harassment. The victim
reports that they have been receiving calls from the 218 area code. The caller threatens to
put them 6 feet under. Officer Peyton Fleming advised the first step is to contact the phone
company to have the number blocked. A reverse check of the number did not yield any
useful information. If the problem persists the next step entails a restraining order.
Assist / Driver Evaluation Saturday 1905 hours
Officer Mike Shepard stopped a car for erratic driving behavior on Dodd Road. The driver was
an elderly female who advised she was lost and looking for the Mendota Bridge so she could
get home to south Minneapolis. Officer Shepard asked the woman to follow him and he
would show her the way. While heading toward the bridge, the car turned off onto the
freeway; Officer Shepard turned around and headed after the car. While he was catching up
with the elderly woman, the DCC broadcast an ATL on his subject. The car was stopped on
the north side of the river after a near collision with some signs. It was soon learned that the
driver actually lived in Burnsville. Officer Shepard made contact with BPD and the woman’s
family was advised she was safe and where to come and get her. After all was taken care of a
MN Driver Evaluation request was filled out and sent to DVS for action.
** To learn more about the process and reasons the State of Minnesota will take an action
against your driver’s license, follow the link: Driver Evaluation Service for the State of
Minnesota.
Warrant Arrest Saturday 0024 hours
Officer Denise Urmann received a call about the location of a wanted person with an active
felony warrant for Domestic Strangulation. Hennepin County Deputy provided information to
the person’s hide‐out. After confirming the address, Officer Urmann and Sgt Eric Petersen
arrived at the house and made contact with the aunt and soon found the suspect sleeping
with his two children on a pullout bed. He was quietly awakened and taken into custody
without incident. Reserve Officer Randy Pentel assisted with transporting the not‐so‐young
man to the Dakota County Jail.
Marijuana Saturday 2259 hours
While on patrol Officer Meyer watched a car make a quick turn into the Xcel Energy tank farm
driveway and the car was quickly stopped. The driver replied he did not have a license on
him, but helpfully informed him the vehicle belonged to the front seat passenger’s
grandparent. In speaking with the kids the smell of marijuana was very evident coming from
the car. Officer Meyer asked for the marijuana and the driver handed him a glass jar of MJ.
When he asked if there was anything else in the car he should be aware, of one of the
juvenile female passengers, a juvenile female, advised there was some beer. At this point the
four were removed from the car. When the juvenile male driver was searched, Officer Meyer
found not only his own DL (which he supposedly didn’t have) but also the wallet and ID of a
friend, used reportedly the purchase tobacco. Next, he PBT’d the passenger – one tested
negative, adding she had only smoked pot; the other two tested a .03 and .13 respectively. In
2/22/13
the car were all of the materials necessary to grind, weigh and package the marijuana along
with some ecstasy. The kids were all cited appropriately and released to family.
Neighborhood Watch at its Best Sunday 1532 hours
Officer Scott Patrick received two separate calls from neighbors concerned about not seeing
the neighbor in several days. Officer Patrick checked the residence and found it to be secure
with no signs of foul play. While on scene he was advised that no further action was required
at that time. An hour later a second call was received to check the address. At that time the
caller was advised the neighbor was in an assisted living center, rehabbing from a fall. No
further calls.
Snowballs Sunday 2159 hours
Caller reported that her Cadillac SUV was hit with snowballs while driving on Dodd Road. The
caller was going to stop and check for damages. Meanwhile Officer Denise Urmann located
the group of kids who were the most likely suspects. While she was talking with them the
caller reported there was no damage to her car. The group was warned about possible bad
outcomes.
BAD DOG! Sunday 2216 hours
Caller reported that his dog locked him out of his BMW 7 Series. Officer Meyer successfully
unlocked the car and freed the culprit.
Vandalism Monday 0735 & 0917 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert responded to two separate vandalism calls on the opposite ends of
the city. The first on the south side was the result of a house being egged overnight and the
second was about syrup being poured on the garage door, in the mailbox and on the
driveway. The second caller believes they received this “surprise” by mistake as a teenager
lives next door. No suspects at this time.
Damage to Auto / Theft Wednesday 2109 hours
Officer Todd Rosse met with two employees at a local restaurant who found they had
windows smashed out of their cars while working. The one was missing a bag full of gym
clothes. No suspects or video of the location.
DAS / Possession of Small Amount of Marijuana Friday 0019 hours
While on patrol in the north end Officer Tanner Spicer spotted a large truck moving slowly
through a neighborhood. When he turned around in his fully marked black & white the truck
tried to give him the slip. As the streets were clear he quickly spotted the truck and stopped
the young man. The driver had a well‐crafted story that quickly fell apart when Officer Spicer
called him on the details. The young man was very surprised when Officer Spicer advised him
that he didn’t have a license and that was why he tried to sneak away. The astonished driver
admitted that was correct. He was even more surprised when Officer Spicer asked him for his
marijuana, which he turned over. The drugs and paraphernalia were taken into custody, the
young man was cited and released. The truck was towed.
Have a great weekend! Mike & Kim