10 11 13 JTF1
The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
SUPPORT STAFF
Kim Henning
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
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
George Castillo
CHAPLAINS
Frances Cuenca
Joel Detlefsen
Lynn Liberman
Butch Millett
Sue Plucker
John Snider
David Wick
CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
OCTOBER 11, 2013
Submitted By:
Police Sergeant Neil Garlock
What is an Ignition Interlock?
It is a device that is connected to the starter of your vehicle. The driver must blow into the
device in order for their vehicle to start. If the driver has been consuming alcohol and the
device measures an alcohol concentration greater than .02, the vehicle will not start. The
information is then recorded and transmitted to the monitoring authority.
Who is eligible for Ignition Interlock?
First time offenders who were arrested with a blood alcohol concentration level of greater
than .16 must install the interlock to regain their driving privileges or face a 1 year license
revocation. Offenders with three or more offenses must install the interlock for 3‐6 years in
order to regain their driving privileges. The cost of an interlock is $3‐$4 per day.
Has the program been successful?
The devices have proven to be effective in preventing repetitive DWI offenders. Less than
1% of Minnesota’s 10,664 DWI offenders who have used the interlock have reoffended since
the program began in 2011. Currently, 7,381 drivers are using the interlock device while to
date, 3,283 drivers have graduated from the device by not re‐offending.
How many states are using Ignition Interlock?
32 States, including Minnesota.
Source: MN Ofϐice of Trafϐic Safety
Did you read last week’s arƟcle about October—Cyber Security Month? Well, in Ɵmely fashion,
Henry Sibley High School released a video at the end of September that lends local support to
the topic of internet safety:
Managing Your Digital Footprint @
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pDHz‐e5xrs
Their purpose was to educate students and parents on the implicaƟons their present online
interacƟons can have on their future. It’s a lesson we all can take to heart.
In partnership with this project, they interviewed many people, including two of our own Men‐
dota Heights Police Department InvesƟgators, Mario Reyes and Chad Willson. We fully support
this project, as we see many incidents here that involve negaƟve acƟvity posted online or on
cell phones that are adversely affecƟng our children and our ciƟzens. People oŌen don’t under‐
stand the ramificaƟons of the acƟons that seem funny now, appear harmless, or saƟsfy that
temporary need for revenge and are oŌen blind to the potenƟal for damaging side affects of
their behavior—to themselves and to others.
Watch the video, watch it with your child and spark some conversaƟon on the topic. You will be
glad you did.
2
Traffic Stop — Warrant Arrest Friday 1855 Hours
While on patrol, Officer Fleming ran the plate on a vehicle; he soon found the owner had a misde-
meanor warrant. The traffic stop was initiated, the driver was the owner, but he couldn’t make the
bail. He went peacefully to Dakota County Jail to satisfy the warrant. Vehicle towed; officer cleared.
Traffic Stop Friday 2056 Hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Peyton Fleming stopped a vehicle who failed to yield to oncoming
traffic. There were five young people in the vehicle: the driver had only an instructional permit and
three juvenile passengers in the backseat were not wearing seatbelts. This was an instructional permit
violation as you are only allowed up to 3 passengers without a parent or guardian present. Fleming
heard a possible AOA aired, so he determined the kids would get a break this time. He told the pas-
sengers to put their seatbelts on and directed the driver to a close, safe location to call for a valid
driver and they were released on scene. While en route, no request for aid came thru so Officer
Fleming decided to see if they complied with his instructions. He soon found them, heading in the
opposite direction. A short while later, Fleming located the vehicle again, same driver, still non-
compliant. Since the juveniles did not comply with Fleming’s instructions, the driver was cited for
Instructional Permit Violation. Officer Urmann arrived to help out, and found one very uncooper-
ative, belligerent juvenile trying to hide the fact that he was not wearing his seatbelt. He was cited
for no seatbelt violation.
Suicide Threat Saturday 2042 Hours
Officers Fleming and Shepard were dispatched to a local park on a call from a woman who reported
her boyfriend had walked away from her and stated he was going to kill himself by jumping in the
lake. Officers sent the woman back to the PD and searched the area with negative results. They re-
turned to MHPD and found the man waiting there with his girlfriend. The man has been depressed
over their poor living situations and he agreed to be seen at the hospital. If you or anyone you
know seems to be suffering from depression and/or expressing suicidal thoughts, please seek help
right away. http://suicidehotlines.com/minnesota.html
DWI #1 Sunday 0223 Hours
Officer Steve Meyer stopped a vehicle that was not only traveling the wrong way on the highway but
also nearly missed a collision with his squad car. It took awhile for the driver to stop, but when he
did finally stop her, she had no idea she had been in the wrong lane. He soon detected the odor of
alcohol and after conversing with her further, determined sobriety testing was in order. She failed
these tests and was arrested for DWI. She provided a test sample, remained cooperative and she was
given a ride to the Dakota County Jail for a book and release. Charges pending test results.
DWI #2 Sunday 0408 Hours
Officer Denise Urmann was dispatched to a local gas station on a call of a man who drove his vehi-
cle up over a curb and was now straddling a downed light pole. Upon arrival, she found the man
with paramedics; he appeared dazed and disoriented and smelled of alcohol. The man did not know
what happened and stated he thought he was in Inver Grove Heights. The man failed all road side
tests along with his PBT and was arrested for DWI. He submitted a test sample and was escorted to
Dakota County Jail. Charges pending test results.
3
Burglary Monday 0927 Hours
Officer Lambert responded to a location where management reported the key box had been forcibly removed
and stolen. Other recent suspicious activity was also reported, but nothing has so far been reported as sto-
len. Forwarded to investigations.
Burglary Monday 1016 Hours
Officer Lambert responded to an after the fact report of a burglary. Property management informed him
over the weekend illegal entry had been made and some property had been stolen; they provided some evi-
dentiary information to follow-up on. Case has been forwarded to investigations.
Marijuana Tuesday 1145 Hours
Officer Fordham was notified of a truant student on school premises and went in search of him. When she
found him, she located marijuana in his backpack. The student was apathetic about being charged, about
his multiple truancies and about his suspension from school. Citation was given to the student; case to be
forwarded to DC Attorneys office for charging.
Hit & Run Tuesday 1540 Hours
Officer Patrick responded to MHPD to take an after-the-fact report of a hit and run. The victim reported his
car was side-swiped by a vehicle. The driver initially stopped, but the victim went to grab a pen from his car,
the suspect driver took off. The incident had occurred very early that morning, around 0630 hours. Await-
ing surveillance footage to assist with suspect identification.
Open Bottle Wednesday 1901 Hours
Officer Petersen checked out a report of a suspicious, occupied vehicle and upon arrival found two adult fe-
males inside. He also found the driver was suspended and that not only had the girls been drinking, but
one of them was under 21. Beer was found in the car; two of the six bottles were empty, so a PBT was given
to the underage female passenger. When it showed a positive result, she was cited for underage consumption
and open bottle in a motor vehicle. The driver was cited for DAS and Open Bottle and both were released at
the scene.
Domestic Assault Thursday 1604 Hours
Officers Todd Rosse and John Larrive responded to the area of a local motel on report of an in-progress as-
sault. While en route, they learned the suspect had left on foot and Officer Larrive spotted him nearby. He
was detained and the parties were all interviewed. The victim reported being both physically and sexually
assaulted by her ex-boyfriend. The incident was called in by a third party. The suspect was ultimately arrested
and held at the Dakota County Jail for Burglary, Criminal Sexual Assault and Domestic Assault. Ramsey
County was also looking for him to satisfy a warrant, so he might be in jail for awhile. The case is under in-
vestigation and pending felony charges by the County Attorney’s Office.
Suspicious Activity Thursday 2054 Hours
Officer Steve Meyer responded to the Mendota Bridge on the report of a young man running down the road
with no shirt on who had jumped off the bridge. After checking the area, Officer Meyer spoke with the origi-
nal caller for clarification. The young man only jumped the rail onto the side walk and kept on running.
Funny how those littel details make a big difference in the urgency of the call.
4
Kudos go out to
Officer Todd Rosse!
There are times when
you just have to say,
“Way to Go,” when peo-
ple go above and be-
yond the call of duty to
help out.
On 10/09 at about 1630
hours, Todd responded
to a call for help from a
pastor, hoping to re-
trieve his keys that had
fallen into a deep sewer
grate near Caribou.
Todd sourced out the
right tools and soon he
was able to fish them
out with some creative
thinking.
The grateful pastor was
on his way with a spe-
cial blessing for Todd,
I’m sure.
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!
10/04 ‐ 10/11 2013 YTD
Calls for Service 133 6657
Citations 18 1212
Warnings 8 1032
Police Reports 22 828
Response Time Average 5.89 5.15
Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood:
http://mendota.prophoenix.com/CS/CrimeMapping.aspx
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; 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.