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11 15 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 NOVEMBER 15, 2013 Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the unofϐicial start of the holiday season and the biggest day for retailers. It is also one of the biggest days for criminals! The term “Black Friday” indicates the point at which retailers begin to turn a proϐit, or are “in the black.” Unfortunately, potential criminals see Black Friday as an opportunity to commit crimes and ϐill their own stockings with your purchases. The holiday season is a time when busy, stressed people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. These crimes include but are not limited to: Robbery Theft from Auto Identity Theft Assault Cyber Fraud Here are some strategies to help minimize the chances of YOU becoming a victim this holiday season: Remain Vigilant! Stay alert to your surroundings at all times and observe people and activities around you. Look conϐident and purposeful. Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert and aware. Never walk or shop while talking on your cell phone. Cell phones are huge targets for today’s thieves. Your inattentiveness can create opportunity. Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, con artists may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money and belongings. Never leave your purse/cell phone or packages unattended. Never leave packages visible in your car or SUV, lock them in your trunk and do not leave them in your vehicle overnight. Don’t sign the back of credit cards with your name; instead shoppers should print “See ID.” This requires sales associates to compare the card against a picture ID which can help guard against fraudulent credit card use. If your credit card is lost or stolen, report it to your ϐinancial institution immediately! If you see anything unusual about an ATM, don’t use it; report it to the police or your ϐinancial institution. Once the season is over, make a habit to sit down with your monthly statements and look for any unusual transactions. If you see anything strange, report it to your ϐinancial institution immediately. Do not respond to unsolicited email or click links contained within them. Avoid ϐilling out forms contained in emails messages that ask for personal information. Submitted By: Police Ofϐicer Denise Urmann 2     Fraud Friday 1031 hours Officer Bobby Lambert met with complainants who said they had purchased a camper on eBay, wired the money to NJ and never received the camper. All communication from the fraudulent party has stopped. Evidence has been collected and is under investigation. Open Bottle/Public Urination Friday 1438 hours Officer Meyer was on a traffic enforcement detail when he encountered a car pulled over and the driver uri- nating at the side of the road. It must have been an emergency, as a gas station was visible, just a couple of blocks away. Officer Meyer checked on the gent and as he approached, saw something fly out the window— that something proved to be an empty container of alcohol. The gent was tested and found sober enough to safely drive—he was released with a citation for his offenses. Health & Welfare Hold Friday 1511 hours Officers John Larrive and Bobby Lambert responded to a call of a parent’s concern with their child’s loss of hope in life. The young lady was under the influence of alcohol and threatening to take her life. Due to the severity of the situation, the child was placed on a health and welfare hold and transferred to the hospital. If you or someone you know seems like they have lost hope in life and can’t seem to get out from under this burden, please seek help right away! Drug Paraphernalia / Open Bottle Saturday 0044 hours While on routine patrol, Officer Tanner Spicer observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. In mak- ing contact with the vehicle, he observed two males and an open Busch Light beer can in front of the passen- ger. The passenger kindly apologized for the presence of the can, saying, “I should have just finished it where I was at.” That statement prompted a vehicle search that produced marijuana, a glass bowl and a scale. The items were seized and both of the males received citations for open bottle and possession charges. Indecent Exposure Saturday 0815 hours Officer John Larrive received a call from a local gas station reporting a male who had his pants down to his knees, talking to himself about marijuana. The man was gone on arrival but a short time later, Larrive locat- ed his vehicle and finally, after a 3 block chase, he stopped. Ultimately, the male was placed on a health and welfare hold. No charges. Damage to Property Sunday 0044 hours Officer Jeff VonFeldt was dispatched to a home on a complaint of property damage. In meeting with the homeowner, the woman stated she went outside to let her dog out and noticed her tree had been toilet papered. In an attempt to capture the vandals, she pulled her vehicle out of the driveway but she didn’t get far...three out of four tires had been flattened, a rear wiper blade was broken off and “STA” was carved into the passenger side rear door. Her only assumption is that it could be a possible bullying situation with her son. Under investigation. 3     Counterfeit Monday 0157 hours Officer Denise Urmann responded to a local gas station on a report of a counterfeit $20 bill. Urmann collected the $20 bill and placed it into evidence at the Police Department. No suspects. Assault Sunday 0827 hours Officers Larrive and Lambert responded to a home on an after the fact assault that had just occurred and the suspect had fled. While en route to the scene, Larrive located and stopped the suspect vehicle. It turns out one of the males went up to confront the employer. The employer felt threatened and shoved his employee who then fell to the ground. The employer admitted to the assault and was issued a citation. Gas Drive-Off Monday 1459 hours Officer Peyton Fleming was dispatched to a local gas station on a report of a gas drive-off. The gas station employee was able to get the license plate number from the vehicle. A phone number for the suspect was found and a call made with no answer. This is the 2nd occurrence where this vehicle was involved in a gas drive-off. A letter was mailed to the suspect address. Pending. Domestic Monday 2313 hours Officer Denise Urmann and Tanner Spicer were called to a home on a domestic where an intoxicated daugh- ter had kicked and bit her father and also was making suicidal comments. Officers handcuffed the non- compliant woman who still continued to try and kick her father and then kicked Officer Urmann in the shin. The woman was arrested for assault of her father and of a police officer and transported to Dakota County Jail. Alcohol Possession Tuesday 1200 hours Officer Jennifer Fordham, the SRO at Henry Sibley High School, was notified by school admin of a student in possession of alcohol on school property. The student was searched and a Gatorade bottle of wine was found. The juvenile had not consumed any alcohol but was issued a citation and left to deal with school and at home consequences. Domestic Wednesday 0114 hours While on routine patrol, Officer Denise Urmann noticed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. A traffic stop was initiated and immediately a woman jumped out of the car yelling, “He’s chasing me, he’s trying to kill me!” The woman stated her vehicle had been rammed by her fiancée who tried to hit her head on. Their relationship has been toxic for years. Sent for charging. Theft Wednesday 0001 hours Officer Scott Patrick spoke to a complainant who stated his iPad was stolen during an unauthorized party his son had at his residence. A friend of the son confessed to the theft via a series of communications and also informed the owner the iPad was pawned at a local pawn shop. Under investigation; charges pending. Theft Wednesday 1622 hours Officer Scott Patrick was dispatched to a local business on a report of a theft of a phone. The complainant, an employee at this business, says she left her phone on her desk while she went to another part of the build- ing and upon returning, her phone was missing. In an attempt to call the fully charged phone, it went straight to voicemail. Under investigation.   4     Sergeant Brian Convery received a compliment from a homeowner of how friendly he was and how he took the time to calm the situation with a CO2 call. 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! 11/08 ‐ 11/15 2013 YTD Calls for Service 132 7,432 Citations 35 1,384 Warnings 14 1,151 Police Reports 20 936 Response Time Average 5.60 5.18 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.