05 17 13 JTF05/17/13
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
Police Department Statistics 2011 2012 2013 YTD 2013, April
CAD calls for service 7618 8531 2429 614
Citations issued (DUI, domestic, etc.)1818 1511 360 97
Warnings 996 1173
Police Reports 1030 1124 357 103
Arrests 217 218 67
Response time average 5:55 5:18 5:00 5:56
Found Property Thursday 0230 hours
While on foot patrol, Officer Shepard spied a credit card in the ditch. He was
able to check the name on the card and come up with an address and phone
number. He made contact with the cardholder’s mom, who stated her
daughter was now overseas, but they thought the card may have been stolen.
Card was placed into evidence until the card could be picked up by the owner.
Drug Party Thursday 2350 hours
A DC Park Officer was patrolling the area by Scenic Overlook and had
approached a vehicle parked there after hours. He could smell the marijuana
coming from the vehicle and observed a broken marijuana pipe outside of it.
He had already requested assistance from MHPD and Sergeant Eric Petersen
and Officer Steve Meyer soon responded to the scene. The driver admitted that
the broken pipe was his and that he and his girlfriend had smoked “a bowl”
while in the park. They handed over the marijuana and exited the vehicle for a
more thorough search while citations were prepared. However, Officer Meyer
soon located more marijuana in the car, and when searching the driver, found
even more interesting items. Thus began a search of the vehicle that revealed
LSD, illicit mushrooms, hash balls, Adderall pills, more drug paraphernalia and
alcohol. All for a two person party! The driver said it all belonged to him, but
the passenger was storing a pipe w/marijuana residue in her purse, so she
received a citation also. The case will be forwarded to the DC Drug Task Force
for charging and possible forfeiture.
Theft of gas Friday 1828 hours
Officer Todd Rosse and Sergeant Petersen responded to a gas station on report
of a “double” gas drive off. Both vehicles – one a Cadillac Escalade with a
Superman sticker on it, and the other a rusted GMC Yukon – managed to get
away with about $200 worth of gas. Both vehicles had several passengers within
and both were driven by males about 40 – 50 years old. Oh, and according to
the witness, they filled additional gas cans also before taking off south 35E.
Officers were in the area quickly but did not find the vehicles, and the plates did
not match the vehicles. Case inactive.
“Just the Facts”
The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department
05/17/13
Fire Warning Friday 1505 hours
Officer Patrick was summoned to a check on the smell of heavy campfire smoke. Upon locating the fire,
Officer Patrick provided the homeowner with the ordinance info regarding the regulated size of fires,
how to keep the flames and smoke down and why dry wood is better to use. Nothing further.
Welfare Check Saturday 0024 hours
Caller reported he was concerned for a friend making suicidal references on Facebook and requested
someone check on her. Upon going to the residence, the husband of the party in question stated they
had just had an argument and the wife may now be at her office. The police in that jurisdiction checked
on her and she was fine with no intent to harm herself; all clear.
Loose Dog Sunday 2045 hours
While walking their dog in their neighborhood, another dog got loose and jumped onto their dog’s back.
They tried to get their dog away from the attacking dog, but it stayed with them until the owner finally
responded, restrained it and put it back in the residence. The owner of the attacked dog had her little
girl along and both were upset. However, they’ve walked by the same residence many times and never
had an issue. While they were going to monitor their dog over the next few days, they did not want
charges pursued. No bite marks were found; owners were advised of the ordinance on restraining dogs
and both were also advised to ensure their dogs were licensed with the city or citations would be issued
for that violation. Nothing further.
Egging Sunday 1754 hours
It must be that time of year – warm weather, a fresh breeze, juvenile boredom – a change of season that
evidently inspires some irritating pranks, like egging. In this case, no permanent damage was observed
by Officer Shepard, when he received word of a home being egged. Often it does cause extensive
damage and there have been some hefty fees involved to repair the damage. No suspects; nothing
further.
Time for Fun! Sunday 1917 hours
The son of local residents requested a welfare check on his aging parents. Evidently, they had been
trying all day to reach them – their calls were unanswered and it seemed the homeowner’s phone was
off, which it never is. There were also some health concerns. The homeowners showed up shortly after
Officer Rosse arrived and (we like these happy endings) informed him they were at the casino. Mom
and Dad are allowed a little fun, too. No details provided on wins/losses; nothing further.
“What’s Up in the Attic” – Episode 4 Sunday 2056 hours
Honestly, we’ve lost track of which episode this one is, but we’ll just start with #4. The property
manager wanted to simply update us that he was going to meet with a resident to personally see/meet
all her demons living in the attic. She believes now that there are a man, a woman and two children
residing there. However, a little later, the resident called, since the burglars were again on her roof and
keeping her up. The male living there had taken some jewelry and used her phone to call the
pediatrician (probably for the pregnant woman living there too). Evidently the homeowner had quite
recently discovered a third attic where they were growing marijuana and she was growing more
concerned for her safety.
Interrupted Burglary Monday 0018 hours
Officers were dispatched to a residence when a homeowner heard someone pounding on the door and
footsteps inside; dispatch was soon notified that the door was damaged. Officer Spicer, while en route,
requested backup from WSP and Officer Elam and his K‐9 partner for a track. The track went thru the
backyards of the area but was soon lost farther down the road. Upon speaking with the homeowner,
Officer Spicer learned he had been sleeping downstairs and when he was awakened by the noise, he
05/17/13
headed up the stairs; however, the stairs creaked and when he got upstairs, there was no one there. He
did find a door open though and the door knob lying on the floor. Right after he called police, he heard
pounding on the front door but did not answer it. We are very glad the homeowner was safe. Evidence
collected; case forwarded to investigations.
Thefts from Vehicle Monday 0632 hours
Lock it up! Upon arrival at his vehicle outside a business, the owner found the vehicle’s window broken
and his GPS and a dress coat missing. The owner was able to provide the serial number for the GPS and
it was entered into the system. No suspect info available. Later that morning, a couple of doors down,
two more vehicles were reported broken into and items stolen, including a GPS, a cell phone and a
projector were stolen.
Bad Plate Monday 2227 hours
Officer Jeff VonFeldt responded to a local gas station on report of a gas drive off. They had the plate
written down, but just as she drove out of the lot, the license plate fell off and they could only see an
orange plate under it. No surprise, the plate was not on file. No other suspect info available.
Window Tampering Monday 2332 hours
After the recent burglary and random thefts from vehicles, officers have been even more vigilant.
Officer Rosse observed an open storm window on a residence. It appeared access was not gained and
when he approached the homeowner, found relaxing on the back deck, he learned it was indeed a
tampering and the homeowner was not aware of the damage. Upon further checking, they found more
storm windows tampered with. Suspect information to be reviewed for follow‐up.
Damage to School Property Tuesday 1257 hours
An elementary school requested officers respond to check out some damaged window. Officer Lambert
responded and observed two large windows on the north end of the building had been broken out, one
possibly by small rocks or a pellet gun and the other potentially by a basketball. Evidence suggested the
perpetrators were definitely aware of the damage; forwarded for review and development of suspect
information.
Bad Tires Wednesday 0757 hours
A local business wished to attempt an attempted theft, and Officer Larrive responded. Upon arrival, he
found that the business felt a transaction was very suspicious when two men came in to pick up eight
tires they had ordered. During fulfillment, questions came up, since usually tires are ordered in batches
of 2 – 4, the PO number did not match the numbers used by the company and, when asked who they
were picking up the tires for, the name they provided sounded pretty lame. When the owner told the
two men that they would need some time to look into the order, the two men didn’t seem worried, but
willingly called their boss for clarification. However, when the phone was handed to the business owner,
the party on the other end disconnected. He didn’t call the police at that time, because he didn’t feel
the two men knew about the scam. Information was provided to Officer Larrive, but was not too
helpful. Investigation ongoing.
Theft from Vehicle Wednesday 1915 hours
Two complainants reported theft from their vehicle. The driver’s side sliding door window was broken
out, a purse was taken and credit cards were used. Another vehicle window was broken out and some
food was taken – an “Ulta” tote bag, 4 pops, salsa and a bag of chips. I guess breaking out that sliding
door made them hungry!
Have a great weekend!