03 21 13 JTF03/20/13
The Mendota
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
Community Blood Drive
The Mendota Heights MOMS Club is hosting a community blood
drive this Saturday, 3/23 from 9:30 am -2:30 pm at 1841 Walsh
Lane. The Red Cross is very short on their blood supply and
really needs our help! If this is a good opportunity for you to
help replenish the blood supply, sign up at:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtPpBdNM4A-
fdHN1WUVJeFM2Nm5MbER6a3IxVWVteXc#gid=0. Limited
spots available.
DWI Wednesday 1301 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Meyer, clocked a car approaching him at
over 100 mph on Hwy 110. The vehicle slowed to around 90 as it got
closer to the stoplights; Officer Meyer caught up to it and attempted a
traffic stop by activating his lights, then the spotlight, finally a siren. The
vehicle did slow down, but had a hard time stopping (probably because he
was also observed fumbling to get his seatbelt on). The driver was
approached and asked to provide ID and insurance. The address was not
current and neither was his insurance. It was immediately evident that he
had been drinking; after unsuccessfully completing the SFST’s, he failed
the PBT with a .015 reading. He was placed under arrest and a search of
the vehicle was conducted. A marijuana pipe was found in the vehicle
console, but when the trunk was checked, the odor of marijuana was quite
strong, but no other contraband found. After consenting to a breath test,
which showed a .15 reading, he received a citation and a trip to jail to be
booked for DWI and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Assault Thursday 1838 hours
Received report from a group home of an altercation between patient and
staff. Staff reported subject had become distressed and began to lash out
with fists, ultimately throwing a coffee mug at him. Photos of injuries
were obtained, citation was issued to the offender, a health and welfare
hold was placed on him and he was taken to the hospital.
Theft of Gas Thursday 1902 hours
Officer Todd Rosse responded to a gas station on report of yet another gas
theft report. Reporting party stated the vehicle had a plate covering the
actual plate and could not get a good read on it. Inactive.
“Just the Facts”
The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department
03/20/13
Snack Thief Thursday 2336 hours
Officer Spicer spied a vehicle parked across two parking spots at a gas station, door wide
open. The driver exited the store and got into the car When Officer Spicer approached him,
he was greeted by the strong smell of alcohol (not the topical stuff, either). The driver had
trouble retrieving his wallet. Officer Spicer started asking if he had been drinking, and he
said he had stopped a couple of hours ago. Prior to starting the sobriety testing, Officer
Spicer asked the gent if he had trouble with his eyes. The man replied, “I stole some stuff
from the store” and promptly produced numerous snack items from his jacket sleeve. He did
fail his tests and was not allowed to drive, especially once marijuana was also found in his
jacket. He was cited and given a ride to detox.
Domestic Friday 2208 hours
Officers were dispatched to a familiar residence for a verbal domestic in progress. Upon
arrival, Sgt Eric Petersen & Officer Todd Rosse found an intoxicated mother arguing with her
son. The son requested the intoxicated mother leave as she was causing trouble and his
young son was in the home. The mother became irate that the son would have called the
cops. She made a valiant effort to resist arrest, but her inebriation put her off balance and
she was “helped” into some handcuffs. No charges; taken to Ramsey Detox for a sobriety
nap.
DAS/No Insurance/Marijuana Sunday 0027 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Spicer ran a check on a vehicle and saw the driver was
suspended. Upon stopping the vehicle, the driver stated he was not aware he was
suspended, but he did know there was no current insurance on the vehicle. Since the
passenger was also unable to drive, he called for a tow and then searched the vehicle.
Marijuana was found in both the front and back seats, but the passenger claimed ownership
of it all. Both were issued their citations and taken to a gas station to await their ride.
DWI Sunday 0231 hours
A bit later, still on patrol, Officer Tanner Spicer observed a vehicle approaching his location
quickly, clocked at 80 mph (again on Hwy 110). While catching up, he watched the vehicle
go back and forth across the lanes, crossing fog lines and hugging the shoulder. This driver
also took a while to stop, but finally pulled over. Officer Spicer noted red, watery eyes and
fresh aroma of alcohol and began testing him. The driver had some trouble standing, but
said he had only had “a couple.” He started some of the sobriety tests, then simply asked if
he could stop, as he didn’t think he’d do very well. After testing of .178, that was probably a
wise idea. He was arrested, the vehicle was searched and drug paraphernalia was found
there. He was brought to MHPD for processing and consented to the testing process,
ultimately providing a urine sample. He was taken to DC Jail for book and release; charges
pending test results.
DWI Monday 2317 hours
Officer Denise Urmann stopped a vehicle leaving the parking lot of a local bar when the
vehicle turned onto the shoulder, and continued driving on the shoulder – thru an
03/20/13
intersection and onto a turn lane. Upon stopping the driver, the scent of alcohol wafted out
and after providing valid ID and insurance, he began his sobriety tests. The female
passenger was evidently not in any shape to drive either. He failed all of his sobriety tests
including the PBT, reading at .015; he was arrested and taken to MHPD for processing; she
was dropped off at White Castle by Officer Steve Meyer. The implied consent advisory
caused some issues when determined he wanted to consult an attorney. He reviewed the
directories, but his own cell phone was dead. He then requested to speak with his grandpa,
an “ex-FBI agent.” He eventually decided he simply wanted to be booked and refused to
take a test. Officer Urmann complied, and booked him at DC Jail on a 3rd Deg DWI/Test
Refusal.
Scammed Again Monday 1411 hours
Sergeant Garlock responded to a party in the lobby reporting he had been a victim of a
scam. Evidently, he had supposedly been a Publisher’s Clearing House winner, but had
cashed their check for a payment, but then forward money via a third party in order to
receive prizes. He sent it in and cashed the check they provided but the next day the bank
notified him the check had been worthless and he was out over $6000. They called with
another reason to request more money, but he realized by then it was a scam and ceased
communications.
Suspicious Person Wednesday 1700 hours
Officer Mike Shepard was informed about a caller concerned that someone has been going
thru her mailbox. Evidently the mailbox is frequently ajar, which is strange since it doesn’t
easily open. Today she observed a white Ford Escape pulling up to mailboxes in her
neighborhood, opening and closing mailboxes. She was able to give some helpful suspect
and vehicle information; info forwarded to investigations and to patrol.
DAC/Warrant Thursday 1447 hours
While working a Dakota County Speed Saturation, Officer Urmann ran the plate on a vehicle
which came back as a cancelled owner; the misdemeanor warrant for driving without a DL
also appeared. Upon stopping the vehicle, the owner was the driver and the correct party.
Along with his other issues, he was also unable to provide insurance. He was cited and given
a ride to DC Jail to settle up on that warrant.
Thefts from Vehicles current!
Lock it up! Car prowlers have been sifting thru vehicles again and toward the end of week
we have seen some activity with theft from vehicle or attempted thefts. Lock your car and
remove temptations from your vehicles.
Have a great weekend! Kim & Trista