10 18 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 18, 2013
Submitted By:
Police Sergeant Eric Petersen
Did you know DCSOT is a specialized resource available to all Dakota County Agencies?
They specialize in skills such as trench rescue, conϐined space rescue. Hazmat situations
and structural collapse... to name a few. DCSOT was activated in 2003 and consists of
police ofϐicers, ϐire‐ϐighters and paramedics. This specialized training can take up to a
year to complete.
Most recently, DCSOT assisted with a “suicide by chemicals.” This is where a person will
mix chemicals to commit suicide while seated in their vehicle causing a lack of oxygen
and death. In the past, the ϐirst responders are at most risk in assessing this situation as
they open the vehicle door and the strong chemical vapors make them victims them‐
selves. Nowadays, when this type of situation is identiϐied, ϐirst responders can call the
DCSOT to handle the situation.
DCSOT has also assisted the Dakota County Drug Task Force in conducting narcotics
warrants when meth labs may be involved as well as working with Dakota County
MAAG (SWAT) in training exercises and actual MAAG call outs. Some members of
DCSOT are also part of MN Task Force 1, which assists in regionals incidents and
catastrophes. In the past years, they have responded to the ϐloods in Iowa and the 35W
bridge collapse.
The month of October has been dedicated to Cyber Security. The last of the series is about
how parents can keep their kids safe on‐line. We all read about cyber bullying, online
predators, your digital footprint and the potential for bad consequences if left to kids.
Parents, if your kids are using the internet you need to be ready to ask some tough
questions, provide some serious answers about what you should tell to whom. It may
seem simple to an adult about why should I friend “Suzy” who I have never met? But to
children, they are curious. Tell your kids NO! For some quick tips: www.netsmartz.org
The parents section will update you on Blogging, Chat Rooms, Sexting, Cell Phones,
Webcams, Cyberbullying and Identity Theft. Each section gives you an overview what is
happening, why it is of interest to kids, and what problems could result. An example from
the news Cyberbullying – can happen on anything electronic such as cell phones, tablets
and computers.
The footprint you leave can and will be used against you in a court of law. The evidence
will speak for itself. 1/3 of online teens report they have been cyberbullied. The really
bad part is once it is out on the internet, it never goes away. The really good part is: MOM
& DAD if you follow the link above you can get in front of the issue to keep your kids safe!
2
Crash Thursday 1808 hours
Caller reported a crash at the Village of Mendota leaving a mess as they fled. The car was occupied by three
people. The caller reported the license plate looked like a fire plate but was not on file. Officer Steve Meyer
responded and reviewed what had occurred. It appears the car that had left the scene was the only item
damaged. GOA.
Crisis Friday 0327 hours
Officer Jeff VonFeldt responded to a call for help at a local motel. Staff called to report a man wearing a
maroon sweatshirt, blue jeans, who came running into the lobby sweating profusely to report he was being
chased. Officer VonFeldt responded a short time later to find the man wandering around outside of the
motel. He refused a ride home or any other assistance from the officer. The man claimed his ride was en
route, he eventually walked into Eagan.
Medical / Crash Friday 0723 hours
A cell phone caller reported a serious crash off the road near Hwy 110 and Hwy 13. Officer John Larrive
responded to find a State Trooper and a citizen starting CPR. HealthEast Paramedics along with MHFD
rescue responded to help with the cardiac arrest that likely caused the car crash. Eventually CPR was ceased
and officers stood by until the Medical Examiner arrived on scene.
Medical Friday 0859 hours
Officer Larrive cleared the medical / crash on Hwy 110 and Hwy 13 to get dispatched once again to another
medical relating to a diabetic reaction. HealthEast Paramedics arrived shortly after Officer Larrive and assist-
ed with the call. While that was occurring, another call came out of a party trapped in an elevator. MHFD
responded to the elevator call ensuring there was not anyone inside of the elevator.
Parking Complaint Friday 1059 hours
Caller reported a car has been parked in front of their home for the past week. While the officer was on
scene, a neighbor came outside and advised him this was an on-going issue between the two neighbors. As
the tires were being chalked, the driver of the car came out and agreed to move it. A check was scheduled for
24 hours.
AOA Friday 1242 hours
Officers John Larrive and Todd Rosse responded to Lilydale on the report of a fire in a local business.
MHFD was on scene a very short time later and put out the fire. It appeared that an employee cigarette was
carelessly thrown, unfortunately due to the very high wind conditions, the cigarette butt was fanned and
caught a nearby wall on fire. Maybe it’s time to move the smoke break location to away from the building.
3
Dog Off Leash Saturday 0810 hours
Caller reported a dog off leash in the tennis courts. Officer Larrive arrived to find one dog in the tennis
courts on leash.
DUI Saturday 2328 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Tanner Spicer located a running vehicle which appeared to be unoccupied
parked in a parking lot. As he approached the car he spotted vomit down outside of the driver’s door and a
woman slumped over behind the wheel. He asked if she was okay and she replied she was, he then asked if
she was drinking and she replied “not to much.” The woman failed all the SFST’s giving up on one stating
just arrest me you know I am going to fail. PBT revealed a BAC of .124 and MHPD she was read the MN
Implied Consent and agreed to a test. After failing to successfully provide a urine sample a blood test was
provided. The woman was transported to Dakota County Jail pending charges.
Theft Sunday 1710 hours
Sergeant Eric Petersen responded to a local business on a report of a theft. He met with an employee who
stated her prescription medication was stolen from her purse that was located in the office. It was learned
that about 90% of staff knew the code to the office and several employees could be responsible. The code
has since been changed so only management may enter and no suspects at this time.
Fraud Monday 1200 hours
Officer Patrick was dispatched to a local logistics company on a report of a fraud. Another company had
scheduled a pickup with them. The company seemed to have all legit documentation during the transaction
yet it became fishy when the license plate recorded was actually a trailer number and the phone numbers to
the company went unanswered. The dollar amount of the goods stolen totaled $32,000. There was
fortunately insurance on the goods yet cost the logistics company a pretty penny and the fraudulent company
name was an actual legit company out of Arizona and they were notified that they have become a victim of
corporate identity theft. Under investigation.
Stolen License Plates Monday 1802 hours
Sergeant Neil Garlock was off duty at a local business when he noticed two woman swapping license plates
and then was heading en route to the gas station next door. He believed the two woman were going to steal
gasoline. He called dispatch to send officers walked over to talk with the women one of said she was going to
walk to an ATM to get $ to pay for the gas. Surprise the woman fled into the heavily treed area while the
other was arrested. Unfortunately during her search a glass meth pipe was found. A short time later Officer
Meyer arrested the one who ran off when she came out from behind a dumpster.
Traffic Tuesday 2007 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Michael Shepard observed a vehicle driving without taillights. Upon
running the plate, the driver came up as revoked and the registration was expired. The driver showed an
expired insurance card and there was no front plate on the vehicle. The vehicle was towed and driver was
cited for DAR, no insurance, expired registration and no front license plate.
4
Officer
Michael Shepard
received a letter of
gratitude from IGH
Chief of Police
thanking him for
his assistance in a
9-1-1 hang up call
that was
determined to be a
domestic assault
where an
individual
barricaded himself
in a home making
threats. Shepard
ultimately helped
establish a
perimeter and
contain the
residence.
Thank you for
your courageous
efforts Shepard!
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!
10/12 ‐ 10/18 2013 YTD
Calls for Service 127 6,842
Citations 27 1,257
Warnings 20 1,079
Police Reports 13 845
Response Time Average 5.45 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.