07 26 13 JTFThe latest from 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 OFC.
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
Sponsored & Supported By:
Get your neighborhood united; To ensure that Police Ofϐicers, Fireϐighters &
Paramedics make it to your event, plan your block party today!
Ofϐicial Registration Forms are online:
www.mendota‐heights.com
Non‐emergency calls received at MHPD or the city are of a similar nature involving common laws,
ordinances or situations of residents. Here are some of the questions we get and our best answers:
What is considered legal parking? Always follow the posted signage of the street or area.
Vehicles may park in the street as long as signage allows it and you must follow basic statutory
regulations regarding ϐire hydrants, distance to curb, etc. Consideration/courtesy should also be
given to neighbors and residents as far as parking in front of mailboxes, etc. Vehicles in MH must
move every 24 hours—year long. From Nov—March of any given year, vehicles must be off the
street from 2—6 am. Dumpsters and other inoperable equipment are not allowed on the street
and must be parked according to code on private property.
Does the city issue special parking permits? No. There may be some extenuating parking
circumstances where the city or police department will allow parking to occur outside of
ordinance, but that will only be determined on a case by case basis.
Does Mendota Heights offer animal control? Yes, for dogs only, according to ordinance. One
frequent issues we deal with is dogs off‐leash. Ice & skate rinks and local parks are not dog parks!
It is prohibited to allow your dog to run within the city limits off‐leash! We ask that you respect
your fellow neighbors and citizens and keep your dog under proper control at all times. This
means the leash must be visible and when on private property, dogs must be restrained
according to ordinance. Citations will be issued for this offense. We will also investigate issues
around animals if it becomes a code enforcement issue (too many in a household, abuse, etc).
Otherwise, the city does not respond to reports of cats on the prowl, coyotes near neighborhoods,
or raccoon sightings unless there is an imminent threat to residents (e.g. rabid). However, if we
can help in ϐinding your lost pet, we are here to record the animal’s information in an effort to
assist you in safely recovering your cat, dog or even pet turtle. Call the non‐emergency line and
we’ll make a note of the details.
Can I call 911 for police response? Yes! If your ϐirst instinct is to call 911, you are probably right!
We want to know about events in progress to respond as quickly as possible, and 911 is always
best. If you have a general question or need to follow‐up on information, please call the non‐
emergency line.
If you have any other question’s you would like answered, we are here for you!
Call us at 651.452.1366 or email us at: pdrecords@mendota‐heights.com
~ DEADLINE IS TODAY 7/26/2013 ~
Officer
Bobby Lambert
received a heartfelt
thank you card from
a mother whose
daughter was found
by Lambert. The
woman was
wandering aimlessly
around local
businesses,
appearing paranoid
and anxious.
Lambert, along with
Officer Patrick,
comforted the
woman, ensured her
safety and called
medics to arrange a
safe transport to
Regions Hospital.
.
Mothers worry
about their children
no matter what—
this mother was
grateful for the care
given to her child.
Fire AOA Thursday 0311 hours
Caller reported seeing a flame thrown into the air landing on Hwy 110 near the intersection at
Crown Pointe. It was still burning when Officer Steve Meyer arrived on the scene. The burning
Molotov cocktail was put out and gathered as evidence. This fire, tied in with the burning foot
bridge north of Marie Avenue and the burned up playground equipment, would lead one to
believe the arsonists likely live in very close proximity to the area. Suspect information pending;
investigation is ongoing.
Dogs Off Leash Thursday 1101 hours
Caller reported that they were in Ivy Falls Park when a man let two dogs run free. The caller
asked the dog owner to leash his dogs. The dog owner became agitated and rude. The caller
waited at the park for Officer Jen Fordham to arrive they pointed out where the man went.
Officer Fordham made contact with the man who had an excuse as to why the dogs were
running. He was advised if he could be more civil police intervention would not have been
required.
Threats Thursday 1622 hours
A local business called Officer Bobby Lambert for help with an applicant who’s job interview
didn’t go as smoothly as they had anticipated. The applicant closed the interview by yelling and
swearing at his potential employers. Then, after he left, the man called the business making
repeated threats. Officer Lambert called the man and was also lambasted by the man, who
eventually hung up on him. Officer Lambert then made contact with the man a few minutes
later who told informed Officer Lambert he was just having a bad day. You think? Man advised
to stop all communications or charges would follow.
Found Prescription Medication Friday 1516 hours
Caller stopped at MHPD with prescription medications they found in a local park. Officer
Bobby Lambert tracked down the owner and determined the items were likely taken from their
mailbox within the past few days. No suspects, not witnesses to the theft. Medications were left
with the owner.
AOA Social Services Friday 1950 hours
Sergeant Eric Petersen checked a residence looking for a pregnant suicidal woman. According
to Social Services the woman was intoxicated yesterday and was making suicidal comments.
Sergeant Petersen checked the home and met the woman’s mother who refused to let him check
the house, advising that her daughter lives in St. Paul. Social Services was advised of our
findings. On Monday, Officer Fordham had contact with the 21 YOA pregnant female who was
at mom’s house drunk. The woman advised that she is bi-polar and wanted to go see her
boyfriend. Transported to St. Paul.
Fireworks Friday 2025 hours
Officer Todd Rosse responded to a loud explosion. Upon arrival he found a party going on.
After speaking with the homeowner, the party resumed, but there were no further explosions.
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.
Sorry! We were just too
busy this week to have any
funnies! Even with a full
moon this week, nothing.
It’s serious business
around here.
Seriously.
Check with us next week—
maybe things
will lighten up!
Party Bus Saturday 0107 hours
Officer Jeff VonFeldt checked on a renovated school bus parked in the high school parking lot
very late in the evening and discovered it was a rented out party bus. The situation became
more suspicious when he approached the bus, as there was a mass exodus of partiers who
sprinted off into the darkness. The bus driver, when asked, insisted all was legit and the renters
were all at least 21, as he had the renter sign a contract stating everyone would be of age.
(Oh, and by the way, the renter was only 19.) Three were caught, all were underage and all were
very intoxicated, .14, .17 and .22 BAC. The most intoxicated, a young female could hardly
stand up. However, detox was full so a 72 Health and Welfare Hold was filled out for
HealthEast ambulance to transport her to the hospital.
Illegal Recreational Fire Saturday 1416 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert responded to a complaint of an illegal fire. He found a homeowner
burning a brush pile in the yard. Advised on requirements for a legal recreational fire and he
had homeowner get the fire size down and to cease burning leaves.
Welfare Check Saturday 1525 hours
Officer Scott Patrick responded to check the welfare of a man calling for help from inside of his
home. The caller reported that they heard that man yelling for help and when asked what he
needed he said, “he is stuck and it is hard to explain.” Officer Patrick arrived and found the
man stuck in the bathroom with help from HealthEast Paramedics and MHFD the man was
freed.
Disturbance Sunday 1128 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert was dispatched to a local park where the caller reported a soccer player
hit a referee. The soccer player is a 20 YOA male. Officer Lambert arrived and met with the
caller and the referee who advised nothing criminal happened and that both parties were kicked
out of the league and left.
AOA Sunday 1948 hours
Multiple squads from EPD, MSP and MHPD headed to the Dodd Road overpass on I494 on a
reported man on the outside rail. While en route, officers learned there may be two parties on
the rail. Officer Mike Shepard arrived and quickly assessed the situation as not to be a jumper.
The man was apparently upset and keeping an eye on his “baby mama” who was stalled on the
freeway below, making sure no one messed with her.
Burglary Sunday 2205 hours
Caller reported a burglary in progress. The caller was waiting to pick up a friend when a man
described as darker skinned, unknown race, heavy set, light colored t-shirt and possibly maroon
gym shorts; the burglar fled in an older Dodge Neon style car that was gray in color. The witness
reported the car drove past the business, then stopped. The driver got out, grabbed something
from the trunk and then drove up to the front of the shop. The man then got out of the car
with a towel over his head and smashed the window. He crawled through the hole and emerged
a few minutes later carrying a TV. The car fled N/B on Dodd. Investigator Chad Willson
arrived a short time later to process the scene. Evidence, including DNA, was recovered. On
Tuesday, Officer Willson attended a scheduled sentencing hearing for a likely suspect who has
been charged by our city in the past for other burglaries. However, after a discussion with him,
he was ruled out as a suspect. Investigation is ongoing.
If you are a Mendota
Heights resident and
you are going out of
town/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, we
have similar forms in
the MHPD lobby and
we will take your info
over the phone.
MHPD offers monthly
car seat safety checks.
To schedule an
appointment, call
651.452.1366 to
contact Ofϐicer
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.
AOA/District Court Monday 1402 hours
Officer Jen Fordham received a request from the District to check a home just off of Delaware
Avenue for a person who ran from court. The man had failed a UA (urine analysis) and decided
they didn’t want to stick around to see what the consequences would be. Unfortunately for the
young man, by the time Officer Fordham had checked the residence the Judge had faxed over an
arrest warrant.
Domestic Monday 1831 hours
Call received of a 21 YOA out of control Sgt Brian Convery along with Officer Jen Fordham
responded to the home. The suspect has been a regular customer since he was a teenager.
Upon arrival, the young man was sitting on the garage steps. He informed officers he no longer
lives with his parents, but mom and dad still pay for his motorcycle insurance. This 21 YOA
with emotional control issues crashed his motorcycle but the parents’ insurance agent advised
against filing a claim. The immature man became enraged, yet again, because it was going to
cost him to fix his motorcycle. Fortunately no one was physically assaulted today, only verbally
abused, and so once again the parents simply agreed it was time for the young man to leave.
Suspicious Activity Tuesday 1004 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert responded to five men arguing in the street delivering phone books,
pushing and swearing at each other. Officer Lambert spoke with the crew leader about the
behavior of his employees and then cleared.
Suspicious Activity Wednesday 0447 hours
Caller reported that 10 minutes ago a white sedan pulled up in front of their house and then
left abruptly. In checking, they found their car door was open. There was nothing missing yet
things had been shuffled through.
Missing Kid…or not Wednesday 1048 hours
The DCC had a mom on the phone relaying from a hysterical aunt that her 12 YOA niece was
not at soccer camp when she went to pick her up. The mom was pretty sure the dad picked the
daughter up but cannot get a hold of him. Within a few minutes, the dad and daughter were
located. Sergeant Garlock was thankful that everyone was headed to South Saint Paul to work
out the “who wasn’t listening” details.
Warrant Arrest Wednesday 1341 hours
Officer Fordham responded to assist a probation officer with a client check. The client had an
active arrest warrant for domestic assault. Officer Fordham quickly resolved the warrant and
transported the man to the Dakota County Jail.
Smoke Scare Thursday 0829 hours
Sergeant Neil Garlock responded to a home on a report of smoke in the basement. The
homeowners evacuated. Upon arrival there was an apparent light haze and light odor inside the
home. Turns out the well pump motor bearings were going out which emancipated smoke.
All is well.
07/19 ‐ 07/26 2013 YTD
Calls for Service 181 5,004
Citations Issued i.e., DUI,
Domestic Assault, Etc. 22 934
Warnings 16 792
Police Reports 21 617
Response Time Average 5.91 5.10
Submitted By: Police Ofϐicer Peyton Fleming
Identity theft is the stealing of someone’s identity by using their personal information usually to obtain credit or
other beneϐits. It continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. The process to repair your
credit and good name can take an average of seven years! PLEASE, take preventative measures!
Here are some simple and effective steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission to prevent Identity
Theft:
Read your credit card statements carefully and often. Report fraudulent activity immediately and close any
compromised accounts.
Know your payment due dates. If you receive statements by mail and it does not show up on time look into it.
When possible, set up online accounts to eliminate the chance of your mail being stolen. Make sure to use
strong passwords to prevent online identity theft. Changing your passwords often will also help.
Read the statements from your health insurance plan; make sure any claims that were paid match the care that
was given.
Shred documents any with personal information; this can be done with a home shredder or a service which will
do it for a nominal fee.
Review your credit report at least once a year. You can obtain your credit report once a year for free from one of
the three credit bureaus; they are TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. You can also place a “Fraud Alert” on
your personal information for free. This will make it very difϐicult for a thief because they would have to know
information about you not found in your basic information. You only need to do a “Fraud Alert” with one of the
credit bureaus and it will then go to all three. Should someone try to open an account in your name you should
be notiϐied.
BE AWARE, DO YOUR PART IN PREVENTING IDENTITY THEFT!