11 01 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 1, 2013
Submitted By: Police Ofϐicer Scott Patrick
With Fall upon us and Winter around the corner, a lot has been written and
distributed about the parking ban which is in effect from November 1st through
March 31st between the hours of 2am and 6 am.
The Police Department and the City go to great lengths to inform Mendota Heights
residents of the Ordinance. The Ordinance is posted in numerous locations; City
website, published in the Heights Highlights, Just The Facts and Ofϐicers have also
been placing ϐlyers on vehicles parked on the streets overnight to advise the owner
of the parking restrictions that are now in effect.
On October 24, 2013, the Dakota County Trafϐic Safety Project (DCTSP) held its ϐirst annual
awards banquet. The DCTSP started in 2005 as a cooperative between Dakota County Law
Enforcement, the Dakota County Highway Engineer, the medical examiner’s ofϐice and the Da-
kota County Attorney’s Ofϐice. The DCTSP members work together to review all the historical
data on crashes, develop a plan and submit it to what used to be called a Safe and Sober Grant.
This targeted enforcement/education/statistical gathering grant is funded by the Minnesota
Ofϐice of Trafϐic Safety (OTS), whose job it is to ϐind ways to make driving safer.
The hard work does pay off. In 2012, 19 people died from auto related crashes, compared to
2005 when 28 died and the total number of crashes has dropped from 5,498 to 4,491. Grant
fulϐillment consists of targeted patrols within four primary enforcement areas: seatbelt, speed,
distracted driving and DUI. The state then uses data-driven analysis tools to help the grant
team structure the enforcements, and determine areas of targeted. Your safety on these roads
is primarily in thanks to the hard work of the members of the DCTSP team and the ofϐicers
who spend the time on the street, dedicated to trafϐic safety.
Sergeant Neil Garlock has represented the Men-
dota Heights Police Department on the DCTSP
since its inception in 2005. The City of Mendota
Heights has one of the highest primary seatbelt
usage reporting's in the state of Minnesota, aver-
aging well into the mid-90s on each observational
count. Mendota Heights Police Department was
recognized at the DCTSP Awards Banquet for dis-
tinguished service in seatbelt enforcement.
Pictured: Sergeant Neil Garlock, Sergeant Brian Convery, Ofϔicer Denise Urmann and Chief Mike
Aschenbrener accepting the award on behalf of the Mendota Heights Police Department and all
of the ofϐicers who put in time and effort to making the roads safe.
2
Peeping Tom Wednesday 0857 hours
Complainant called in an after the fact peeping tom incident. Officer Scott Patrick responded to the home
where the female stated she had just finished up showering and when entering her bedroom, observed a
smart phone right outside her bedroom window. The female yelled for her roommate and the roommate
and barking dog came to help. The phone was then gone. After checking outside the window, it appeared
the mulch was disturbed and a large uprooted weed was laying on the ground. The female was given security
suggestions to help in the capture of the intruder. No suspects.
Identity Theft Wednesday 1459 hours
A local resident came into the PD to report mail had been stolen from his mailbox. The victim had placed
an outgoing bill with a written check in the mailbox to be paid. It turns out, the check was presented to a
bank in Inver Grove Heights, issued to a female for a much larger dollar amount and the memo line was
filled in. The check was clearly tampered with. Good suspect information was available; case pending.
DUI Wednesday 2357 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Peyton Fleming observed a vehicle turn without stopping or signaling.
Fleming then activated his emergency lights and the vehicle continued to drive into the McDonald’s drive
through lane where it finally stopped. Fleming instructed the driver to pull forward out of the drive through
lane. The driver failed all SFST’s, refused a breath test, vehicle was towed and driver was transported to
Dakota County Jail.
Domestic Friday 1534 hours
DCC received a call on a rolling domestic. Sergeant Eric Petersen located the vehicle and activated
emergency lights. He then observed a male exiting the vehicle, which contained a front seat and a back seat
passenger who were all yelling at each other. They were all separated and with the help of Officer Scott Pat-
rick, tried to sort out the argument. The individuals were a boyfriend and girlfriend couple along with the
girlfriend’s son. The argument arose while discussing an acquaintance of the son and it became heated. The
male wanted her to exit the vehicle to calm her down but he was too late, as the female ended up punching
him in the face. Neither party wanted to press charges yet the male was cited for DAR and No Proof of In-
surance.
Detox Friday 1930 hours
DCC received a call from a woman who wanted to report her intoxicated mother was en route to the liquor
store; then the caller said, “I’m done,” and hung up the phone. Officer Mike Shepard located the vehicle
parked in front of the liquor store and soon saw the woman walk out. Upon approach, she smelled strongly
of alcohol and had watery, blood-shot eyes. She stated she was in an argument with her daughter. After run-
ning a check on the mother, it showed her drivers license had an alcohol and drug restriction. She was then
instructed to complete a breath test which showed a high alcohol concentration. Officer Shepard then made
reservations for the woman at Ramsey County Detox.
3
Mental Health Crisis Friday 2014 hours
Sergeant Eric Petersen responded to a home on a call of a dispute between father and daughter. In speaking
with the father, he stated his daughter came home with a bottle of booze, grabbed some orange juice and
went to her room. He stated this was the first time she had done this, but she suffers from mental illness.
An argument about the situation started; the daughter ended up pushing her way past her father and slapped
him. She then took off from the home in a vehicle. A friend of hers spoke to her and was scared she would
attempt to take her life as she had tried in the past. Her cell phone was pinged and she was found in WI and
put on a health hold. Dad was notified of her whereabouts.
Suspicious Person Sunday 0201 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Jeff VonFeldt observed two juvenile females hiding behind a parked ve-
hicle. He put the spotlight on them and they began to run at which time he instructed them to stop and
come back to the squad. When asked what the girls were doing, they stated they snuck out of their house in
Bloomington to meet up with a boy. However, upon catching the girls in her home, the boy’s grandmother
kicked the girls out of the house and they didn't know where they were or how they were going to get home.
VonFeldt contacted the grandmother who was very confrontational and uncooperative. The girls were taken
back to the PD where their parents were called to pick them up.
Theft from Vehicle Monday 1913 hours
Officer Todd Rosse responded to a local restaurant on an after the fact theft from vehicle. The victim’s re-
turned to his car that was parked in the parking lot and upon found the passenger side front window shat-
tered with multiple items stolen from the vehicle. It appears items were obtained by reaching into the vehi-
cle and opening the center console where all of the valuables were located. No suspects at this time, under
investigation.
Burglary Thursday 0753 hours
Officer Larrive was dispatched to a local restaurant on a burglary report. Upon arriving at the scene, he ob-
served a glass door shattered and evidence of forced entry. The suspect (s) then forced entry into a locked
office where the cash box, and over $1,000 were stolen. Under investigation.
Trespass/Drugs Friday 0058 hours
This is a perfect example of citizens and law enforcement working together: Caller reported activity in the
house next door and possible flashlights within. Sergeant Petersen was close by, saw the two males and
stopped them in their vehicle while awaiting assistance. Officers Fleming and Rosse quickly arrived and the
males were taken into custody without issue. The occupants were questioned and officers learned that the
two parties were under 21, they had been drinking, and they thought they would break into the home in
where the driver used to live reportedly because the driver said he had left property there. Upon searching
the vehicle, hallucinogenic mushrooms were found. Driver was arrested on 4th Degree Drug Possession,
trespass and Under 21 charges, passenger was cited for Under 21 and trespass; both were given a ride to jail.
Vehicle towed/forfeited, officers cleared.
4
ISD 197 Foundation
wrote a note of
appreciation
thanking Sergeant
Neil Garlock,
Investigator Mario
Reyes, Officer Jerry
Murphy and Reserve
Officer Jeff Parker on
their help with the
5K. The 5K had a
great turnout and
the presence of our
officers gave the
foundation peace of
mind to ensure a safe
event.
Thanks for all
your help!
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!
10/25 ‐ 11/01 2013 YTD
Calls for Service 134 7,133
Citations 13 1,299
Warnings 20 1,117
Police Reports 18 897
Response Time Average 5.18 5.17
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.