12 20 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
Jeff Vonfeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICER
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
DECEMBER 20, 2013
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USUSUS ATATAT MHPDMHPDMHPD
2
AOA Saturday 0349 hours
Officer Denise Urmann responded to a report of a female party standing alone near a restaurant, shivering
and freezing. On her way there, she noticed a disabled vehicle with front end damage. She ran the plate and
headed back to find the female party; along the way she was flagged down by a witness who stated the female
and her dog were still there. She soon found her, by a light pole, and upon approach, it became clear she
had been consuming alcohol. After Officer Urmann ensured she was OK and did not need medical treat-
ment, the female informed Officer Urmann she had been driving her car when she suddenly struck “the
thing that sticks out on the side of the road.” She stopped the car, grabbed the dog and started walking.
State Patrol responded and took over the DUI arrest. Officer Urmann cleared.
DAR Saturday 1853 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Peyton Fleming ran a check on a vehicle in front of him and the RO came
back as “revoked” with license plates flagged as “impound for alcohol.” He could not determine if the driver
appeared to be the RO, so he pulled it over. He did not find the RO driving the vehicle, but the person who
was driving stated he had just purchased the vehicle. Officer Peyton informed the new owner he would have
to impound the plates and then asked for the driver’s valid license. He learned the driver did not have one,
but the passenger did. Since there were two small children in the car, he agreed to follow them to their ad-
dress and remove the plates once they were home. He removed the plates and left them with a citation for
driving after revocation and driving without proof of insurance. Officer cleared.
Theft—gas Sunday 1619 hours
Yet another gas drive off, this one committed by someone driving a silver Toyota sedan, bearing a WI plate,
and filled with junk; the car also had some red and silver paint on it. Surprise, surprise, the plates didn’t
match the vehicle, as it came back to a blue Volvo. Case inactive.
Accident Monday 1427 hours
Officer Patrick responded to a business district where an accident had occurred between a car vs truck; no
injuries, minor damages, thankfully. Officer cleared.
Missing Person Monday 1746 hours
Officers were dispatched to a report of a missing vulnerable adult. Officer Steve Meyer learned the party had
left on foot to an unknown location. The entry was made into NCIC and a search was conducted. The party
was soon found and returned safely to the home. Officers cleared.
Mail Theft Tuesday 1020 hours
Question: Should you ever put the flag up on your mailbox? Answer: No! A red flag is exactly that, waving
to criminals, “Steal me!” A resident put several bill payments/letters in the mailbox, raised the flag and soon
found checks had been fraudulently created on his account. Luckily, he learned this when the suspect at-
tempted to use one of the checks, but was thwarted by the bank teller, who was suspicious of the transaction.
When asked to come inside and present ID, the suspect drove off, leaving behind all the evidence. Forward-
ed to investigations.
3
Accident Wednesday 1142 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert responded to a local gas station for an accident that had occurred in the parking lot.
Upon arriving, he found both parties waiting—one vehicle had minor damage and one had moderate damage.
He heard the story of what happened, observed the damage incurred and determined which was the striking
vehicle. No citations were issued. Officer cleared.
Check Welfare Monday 1746 hours
While at work, an employee began making suicidal comments to coworkers. Officer Todd Rosse responded
and discussed the situation with the employee. He admitted the comments were selfish and stated he didn’t
really mean it. After discussing the seriousness of the situation, the officer decided to allow him to stay. A co-
worker offered to watch over him. Officer cleared.
Scrappin’ Thursday 0043 hours
Officer Spicer was conducting traffic safety enforcement when he stopped a truck with the taillights not work-
ing. The truck was carrying a lot of scrap metal that appeared to be in danger of falling off the truck. He ap-
proached the driver and asked him where he got all the scrap, which included industrial shelving and lots of
wire. The driver and passenger both agreed it had been free and they were just heading home to put up shelv-
ing. Both parties started searching for their driver’s licenses and some proof of insurance. When the driver at-
tempted to open the glove compartment, the passenger told him “no” and the compartment was quickly shut.
Hmmm. He also soon learned the passenger was a well-known scrap metal thief and meth user. When asked if
they had drugs in the car, he observed some shifty eyes and weak responses, but both said, “No.” He asked if a
narcotic K-9 could come and verify that; they both said yes. He did so, but the K-9 found nothing. They were
released but warned that if any scrap or valuable metal was found stolen, he would be in contact again. Officer
cleared.
DWI Thursday 2343 hours
Officer Spicer stopped a speeding vehicle were the driver was attempting to make a curvy road just a little more
dangerous. Upon approaching the cracked window of the vehicle, he could distinctly smell alcohol. Of course,
the driver stated he only had one beer at his friend’s house, but the field sobriety tests were started anyway.
They did not go well, nor did the PBT, which showed a .142. The driver agreed to submit to a blood test; driv-
er was booked at the Dakota County Jail and released pending test results. Officer cleared.
Watch for JTF again in 2014….
4
TOY WATCH
Watch for pictures
and an update on
our most generous
Toys for Tots
donation to date
in the
2014 JTF issue.
In the meantime,
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!
12/13—12/20 2013 YTD
Calls for Service 109 8104
Citations 10 1483
Warnings 6 1200
Police Reports 16 1008
Response Time Average 6.35 5.25
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.
MHPD
caught on
KARE 11 for
Toysfor Tots:
http://
www.kare11.com/
videos/news/local/
outreach/toys-for-
tots/2013/12/19/4134
285/