01 24 14 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
Lenny Andrie
CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
JANUARY 24, 2014
Dakota County Traffic Safety Project
Submitted
B
y
:
Police Serg
e
a
n
t
Neil Garloc
k
“Ugh, my car won’t start because of the cold!”
“Schools are closed again!”
“Burr, the house is freezing because of the temps!”
“I am still cold even though I am wearing my jacket, hat and mittens!”
The things we can take for granted… think of the people out there in this cold State of
Minnesota who are unfortunate and do not have the essential cold winter gear like
jackets, snow pants, hats, mittens and boots.
Do you have a jacket in your closet that you never wear yet cannot seem to get rid of it
because “you might wear it someday?” Do you have winter gear that you have grown out
of or isn't stylish enough for you to wear?
YOU CAN HELP!
Here are some local resources where you can donate your much needed winter gear to
those in need:
http://www.josephscoatmn.org/ http://onewarmcoat.org/
http://salvationarmynorth.org/ http://peopleservingpeople.org/
http://www.ccspm.org/
In September of 2005, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety awarded the
Dakota County Traffic Safety Project $78,000. The agencies covered in the grant were, Apple Valley,
Burnsville, Dakota County, Eagan, Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota
Heights, Rosemount, South St Paul and West St Paul. The grant allowed officers to work outside of their
jurisdictions through a Mutual Police Assistance Agreement. The DCSTP targeted geographic areas on
specific dates. The current grant emphasizes the concept of high visibility to get the message out. Officers are required
to wear high visibility traffic vests and electronic signs are used to designate the enforcement area. The
grant focuses on 4 enforcement areas: DWI, seatbelt, speed and distracted driving.
During the 2013 grant year, 206 officers worked 6487 enforcement hours. 6791 citations were issued
and 8689 warnings were given. 125 drivers were arrested for drunk driving.
The funding amount for the grant has increased each year. The 2014 DCTSP was awarded $355,000. So
when you drive by an officer on a traffic stop, move over. It’s the LAW.
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Fraud Thursday 1940 hours
Officer Todd Rosse was dispatched to contact a reporting party concerning fraud. The RP stated that his
credit company had called him to notify him of a suspicious online purchase at a sporting goods store. The
sporting good store mentioned that the particular items were well known to be purchased in fraudulent
activity. The card has since been cancelled and is being looked into by the sporting goods fraud department
as well as MHPD Investigations.
Harassing Communication Friday 0944 hours
Officer Jennifer Fordham was notified by a concerned parent of harassing voicemail message that was left on
her juvenile son’s voicemail. The mother stated she was doing regular supervisory checks on her son’s
voicemail and found a disturbing voicemail. The voicemail included three male voices and one in particular
telling her son to kill himself with details on how to do so. This serious situation is under investigation.
If you or anyone you know is being bullied or harassed, contact the police department immediately.
Property Damage Accident Friday 1057 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert responded to a two car property damage accident. Driver one was attempting to pull
out onto Mendota Heights Road from Concord Way but did not see driver two traveling eastbound on
Mendota Heights Road until it struck driver two’s front driver’s side tire. There were no injuries. Driver
one vehicle was towed. No citations issued.
DWI Friday 2205 hours
Officers Jeff VonFeldt responded to location report of a vehicle in someone’s yard and upon arrival, he
found it stuck in a snowbank in complainant’s yard. The driver was unsuccessfully attempting to back the
vehicle out. VonFeldt approached the driver who was seated in the vehicle and could immediately smell
alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle along with bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. After
clearly failing all SFST’s he was placed under arrest and placed in the squad car. He was belligerent and
uncooperative the entire way kicking at the windows and screaming. After refusing to test, the paperwork was
completed and put back in a squad car for a trip to jail for 2nd Degree DUI. Again, he exhibited same
uncooperative behavior during the trip to Dakota County Jail and he was happily turned over to detention
deputies.
Damage to Property Saturday 1722 hours
Officer Peyton Fleming was dispatched initially to a report of an attempted burglary. In meeting with the
complainant, he believed someone had tried to gain entry into his business due to a small chip and crack on
the lower portion of the front door. After inspecting the door, it did not seem as if there were signs of
attempted burglary. It is believed that the damage was caused from a rock being kicked up from a snow
blower during the area around the business was plowed the previous night. No further action.
Damage to Property Saturday 2346 hours
Officer Tanner Spicer responded to a home on a report of a broken vehicle window and side mirror. The
complainant stated he heard a loud smash from inside the home then went outside to find the back window
of his vehicle and the side mirror mashed out. The complainant could not think of anyone that may have
wanted to cause this damage and due to no evidence of possible suspects, this case is inactive.
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DAR/Warrant Saturday 2354 hours
While on routine patrol, Sergeant Eric Petersen conducted a random routine license plate and learned the
female RO of the vehicle in front of him only had an instructional permit. Petersen conducted a traffic stop
and approached the vehicle to find a female driver, male passenger and three small children. Upon running
the driver’s DL, it showed the driver to have a status of revoked as well as an outstanding warrant. The
female was taken into custody, issued a citation for DAR and given a ride to Dakota County Jail to be booked
for the warrant. The male passenger had a valid DL and took possession of the vehicle and the children.
Theft Sunday 1407 hours
Officer John Larrive was dispatched to a local business parking lot and met with the complainant who stated
she had parked her vehicle in the lot and when she returned to her vehicle, the rear window on the vehicle
was smashed out and her purse containing valuable items such as her drivers license and credit cards was
stolen. She was advised to contact the credit companies as soon as possible to notify them of the theft.
Outside of the vehicle a backpack, sweatpants and t-shirt were found amongst a few other miscellaneous items
and placed into evidence. As of now, the identity of the owner of the items has not been determined.
Theft Tuesday 2200 hours
Officer Scott Patrick was dispatched to a home on a report of a theft. The homeowner stated that sometime
within the previous 12 hours, someone had entered their unlocked vehicles and stolen their garage door
opener. The garage door opener has since been disabled and there are no suspects at this time.
Theft Wednesday 0500 hours
Officer Scott Patrick responded to Caribou Coffee to meet with a woman on a theft from auto. The woman is
an employee of Caribou and when she returned to her vehicle after work, she discovered the rear driver’s side
door glass was shattered and her backpack was stolen. The vehicle was locked at the time of theft.
No suspects at this time.
Theft Wednesday 1842 hours
Officer Michael Shepard was dispatched to a home on a report of a theft. The homeowner stated that his
checkbook along with his garage door opener had been stolen from his vehicle that was parked outside his
home. There was no damage to the vehicle and he could not remember whether or not the vehicle was
locked. The garage code has since been changed and the checking account has been cancelled. No suspects at
this time.
We’re on the countdown now to our Guns & Hoses event! Donations are still welcome!
A big THANKS to the businesses who have already supported the event
and our chosen beneficiaries.
CHECK OUT THE ATTACHED FLYER FOR ALL THE DETAILS.
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In the spirit of competition, we at MHPD would like to inform you that in the summer, 2014 MHPD
vs MHFD Kickball Competition, MHPD was the clear winner in that challenge. We are just as
confident that we will maintain our champion status in this event. Come & cheer us ALL on!
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Officer Denise
Urmann received a
thank you note for
the tour she put on
for Cub Scout Pack
9037 and their
parents.
Officers Jennifer
Fordham and Steve
Meyer received
commendations from
the City
Administrator for
being nominated for
great service in 2013!
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!
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. Make your House Check
Request online at www.mendota-heights.com, visit us in the MHPD lobby to
complete a form or call us 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 Officer 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.
1/17—1/24 2014 YTD
Calls for Service 156 508
Citations 39 128
Warnings 23 58
Police Reports 15 46
Response Time Average 5.61 5.85