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03 13 15 JTF1 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming POLICE OFFICERS Jerry Murphy John Larrive Bobby Lambert Todd Rosse Jeff Vonfeldt Steven Meyer Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Nick Gorgos Robin Nelson INVESTIGATIONS Chad Willson SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Jennifer Fordham SUPPORT STAFF Kim Henning Trista Miller Lisa Brandt Becky Pentel RESERVES Randy Pentel Jim Knox Jeff Parker CHAPLAINS Butch Millett John Snider David Wick Frances Cuenca Alberto Vargas Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Joel Detlefsen Lenny Andrie MARCH 13, 2015 Did you know that one of the best things you can do to deter accidents and improve your own visibility is to keep your headlights on while driving? One of the best habits you can get into, and have your young driver get into, is to turn on the running lights on when you turn on the car. When I bought my first car, a black Honda Civic, and my father expressed concern over visibility in such a small car, the dealer told me, “The best thing you can do is to always drive with your lights on.” Be it luck or be it his Ɵp, I have only had two minor accidents in my 25+ years of driving. According to a study conducted by the Department of TransportaƟon, “...dayƟme running light (DRL) usage has been studied around the world.” They noted many countries, specifically Canada and most European countries, require 24‐hour headlight use. Even naƟonwide, laws on headlight usage vary. The study showed that 24‐four hour headlight acƟvaƟon, both automated and behavioral, greatly increased visibility and increased road safety. At the minimum MN Law 169.48 requires motorist to have their headlights on 1.) Between sunset and sunrise, 2.) When visibility is 500 feet or less, and 3.) When windshield wipers need to be used for rain, snow, hail, sleet or fog. Also, motorcycle drivers are required to have them on at all Ɵmes. Simply—turn on your lights—it’s a quick step to take to ensure your safety on the road. While we love our parents, most of us would not necessarily want to be surrounded by seven fathers, especially at a school dance! But Amy Patrick decided her Dad’s partners would be standing in for him at her school’s father‐daughter dance. Amy, who loves bright colors and all things sunny (like her smile), insisted the Dads wear the colors of the rainbow, like the song, “ROY G. BIV.” It was fun hearing them prepare for the dance, figuring out who was wearing what color and, “ what color is Indigo?” As Officer Shepherd told KSTP, “We cannot replace ScoƩ, and we’re not going to try, but we can make sure that Erin and Amy are never standing alone in those Ɵmes where ScoƩ would have been there for them.” More of the officers would have loved to aƩended as well, but they were either working or had previous plans with their own families. Our hearts are full of pride by the personal demonstraƟons of love and care for this family. HEADLIGHTS & SAFETY 2 2 Theft Friday 22:00 hours Officer Shepard took a report on a car prowl which occurred overnight. The reporting party stated that someone broke the window on his truck and stole items out of it. There are no suspects or witnesses. Deer vs. Vehicle Friday 13:35 hours Officer Todd Rosse responded to a vehicle versus a deer report. Victim stated a small deer ran from the brush onto the roadway directly into his path and was struck by his vehicle. Vehicle suffered minor damage and the deer was deceased upon Officer Rosse’s arrival. Mental Health Crisis Saturday 19:23 hours Sgt. Tanner Spicer and Officer Jennifer Fordham were dispatched to a residence where a mother reported that here adult daughter was suffering from a panic attack and was depressed. The daughter requested help stating she was suffering from an anxiety attack. An ambulance was called. 5th Degree Assault Sunday 21:46 hours Officers Nick Gorgos and Robin Nelson responded to a domestic at a local hotel. The victim stated that she and her boyfriend were staying at a hotel when the boyfriend became upset that she said she was tired. The suspect then pushed the victim which caused her head to hit the headboard of the hotel bed. The boyfriend was cited and trespassed from the hotel. Domestic Assault Monday 21:09 hours Officer Robin Nelson along with Officers Fleming, Meyer and Von Feldt responded to a home with report of one brother choking another brother. The victim told police that his brother had gotten angry at him and threatened to kill him. The victim had marks on his neck consistent with strangulation. After locating the suspect hiding in the woods he was taken into custody and transported to Dakota County Juvenile Services pending charges. Fraud Tuesday 11:28 hours Officer Todd Rosse was called to the police lobby to take a fraud report. Victim stated that he received a letter in the mail from the IRS explaining that they needed more information to process his return. The victim knew something was wrong because his wife and him had not yet filed their returns. It was determined after speaking with the IRS that a suspect had attempted to create a fraudulent tax return using the victim’s information. The case is currently under investigation. Theft Tuesday 16:09 hours Officer Todd Rosse took a theft report at a home where the homeowner reported that a lawn ornament had been taken from her front yard while she was out of town. There are no suspects or witnesses at this time. 3 3 Mental Health Crisis Wednesday 08:22 hours Officers Bobby Lambert and Todd Rosse were dispatched to a call on a man who has been diagnosed with mental illness and who had just assaulted his care provider. Officers learned that the man had become upset and pulled a handful of hair from the victim’s head. The patient’s guardian was called and she requested that he be sent to the hospital for evaluation. An ambulance took the man to the hospital. Domestic Family Thursday 16:05 hours Officers Todd Rosse and Bobby Lambert responded to an open 911 call at a residence. Upon arrival they learned that there was a dispute between two people over the visitation rights of their child. The father who had come to pick up his child was causing a disturbance and was asked to leave the residence but refused. He eventually did leave with the child once the mother called 911. After speaking with both parties it was determined that no assault or any other related crime had taken place. Property Damage Wednesday 18:17 hours Officer Robin Nelson along with Officer Nick Gorgos and Sgt. Fleming were dispatched to Somerset Elementary school where someone witnessed a truck driving on the playground. Officers arrived and found three people and three cars behind the school as well as deep tire tracks in the ground. Two of the individuals stated they did not drive on the grass. The third individual stated he accidentally created ruts when his truck got stuck in the wet grass. His vehicle was also caked with mud. This case remains under investigation as cost of the property damage needs to be determined. Vehicle Pursuit Wednesday 22:24 hours Officer Mike Shepard was on his way to respond to a crash when he observed a motorcycle traveling at a very high rate of speed run a red light and the pass a vehicle on the right shoulder. Officer Shepard activated his lights for the motorcyclist to pull over but the driver continued to drive at an estimated speed of 100 mph. Officer Shepard followed the driver but lost sight of him. As Officer Shepard continued driving he came up- on debris in the roadway from a crash. He then observed the motorcycle he was following and suspect in the grass. The motorcycle was now in several pieces and the suspect was complaining of a broken leg. Officers from West St. Paul and St. Paul arrived on scene to assist. It was determined that this was the same motorcyclist who had been involved in the original crash which Officer Shepard was on his way to assist initially. The suspect was sent by ambulance and the case has been sent to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office for formal charges. 4 4 5 5 03/06—03/12 2015 YTD Calls for Service 137 1163 Citations 14 94 Warnings 21 88 Police Reports 23 187 Response Time Average 5.59 5.12 Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood: https://www.raidsonline.com 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 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; you can complete a form found in our lobby, or simply give us a call and we’ll help you out. 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. 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! CONSUMER BEWARE PHONE SCAMS! We have received an influx of calls regarding phone scams. These scam arƟsts are becoming increasingly clever and persistent. The keys to handling these calls: Do not answer a long distance number or 800 number on your phone. Let them leave a message. If you do answer and they ask you to confirm or provide any informaƟon. Hang up. Do not engage in a conversaƟon and do not provide or confirm any informaƟon. Call the legiƟmate company direct to verify the reported “concern” or “acƟvity.” Talk with your phone provider on best pracƟces to stop or block unwanted calls. If you have given informaƟon over the phone or have sent money, you may be a vicƟm. Call your bank if you are concerned and call your police department if you have indeed been swindled out of money or if your idenƟty has been fraudulent‐ ly used.