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05 29 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 Steve Hilyar 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 Alberto Vargas Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Joel Detlefsen Lenny Andrie MAY 29, 2015 Reports involving fraud and idenƟty theŌ are increasing. The lines between the two can become blurred at Ɵmes. Fraud is deﬁned as, “wrongful or criminal decepƟon intended to result in ﬁnancial or personal gain.” IdenƟty theŌ is deﬁned as, “fraudulent acquisiƟon and use of a person’s private idenƟfying informaƟon, usually for ﬁnancial gain.” We can simplify those deﬁniƟons with more common words, fraud: is lying or tricking a person into someone else’s gain. If I’m your waiter and you give me your card to pay for the bill I could easily sell your card informaƟon. Think of how easy it is to buy consumer goods online. With a liƩle research i.e., matching names to addresses and zip codes, the card number is all a person would need. IdenƟty theŌ is a type of fraud involving the stealing of personal informaƟon usually without the vicƟm’s knowledge. Say you received an email from a “legiƟmate looking bank” asking you for your account informaƟon and you assume because the email takes you to a real website that it is a legiƟmate request. Without conﬁrmaƟon from YOUR bank you could have fallen right into a Phishing scheme. One of the most common types of fraud is debit card fraud. Debit card informaƟon is sold to a third party by someone who comes in contact with your informaƟon. To spot fraud, maintain an accurate record of money you spent and report any discrepancies you see that you know you did not make. One of the most common and devastaƟng types of idenƟty theŌ comes from social security ID theŌ. A thief could request a copy of your social security number staƟng they have “lost” theirs and then once they have your ID, they are then able to open credit cards, apply for beneﬁts, and even get a passport to escape the United States. Avoiding fraud can be a relaƟvely simple process: Wiring money is almost the exact same thing as sending money in the mail, avoid this at all costs. Avoid foreign loƩeries. Never send personal informaƟon to someone you don’t know. Avoid phishing aƩacks (electronic messages e.g. text message, email, etc.) aƩempts to gain your personal or ﬁnancial informaƟon. If you are asked to donate to a charity, research the organizaƟon before sending money. Follow these easy steps to help avoid IdenƟty TheŌ: Never give personal informaƟon unless in a secure connecƟon. Look for a padlock in the upper right corner of the address bar while on the internet (this ensures the site is safe and reduces the chances someone will gain your informaƟon). Look for veriﬁcaƟon at the boƩom of the page. Monitor your bank accounts. Keep an eye on your credit score. Refrain from carrying your social security card on your person. Change passwords oŌen (yes I know, no one likes that). Shred important documents you no longer need. Avoid phishing aƩacks (electronic messages e.g. text message, email, etc.) aƩempts to gain your personal or ﬁnancial informaƟon. These steps won’t guarantee it won’t happen to you but it always helps your chances of not becoming a vicƟm. 2 2 Theft of Gas Friday 23:48 hours Officer Robin Nelson was dispatched to a local gas station on a theft of gas report. Upon arrival, she was met by the store employee who stated that vehicle pumped $30.37 worth of gasoline and then drove off without paying. The employee was able to obtain a suspect description as well as the plate number which came back to a green Pontiac Bonneville. A letter was sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. Case pending. Mental Health Saturday 15:44 hours Officer Bobby Lambert and Sergeant Eric Petersen responded to a home on an adult female who was acting erratic, banging on walls and threatening to leave. Officers arrived and spoke with the mother of the female who stated that her daughter was just released from the hospital the day prior for mental health issues and is now making comments about ending her life. The female is diagnosed with bi-polar as well as having alcohol and marijuana problems. Her mother stated her daughter wanted to leave with an unknown male to a music festival and her mother didn't feel this was a good idea due to her mental health and addiction issues. The daughter became upset over that decision and started acting erratic. A mental health hold was placed on her and she was transported to the hospital. Mental Health Saturday 17:22 hours Officer Robin Nelson along with Sergeant Peyton Fleming responded to a group home on a resident who was punching walls, hurting himself and making criminal accusations. Officers were met by staff members who directed them to the resident. The resident is autistic and suffers from depression. The resident stated that he wants to go to jail. When asked why he wants to go to jail, he stated, because he wants to become a sex offender and has raped several girls. Officers were familiar with the resident from previous contacts. The resident acts out because he does not like his living arrangements and wants to leave the home. He was placed on a mental health hold and transported to the hospital. Traffic Stop/Drug Paraphernalia Monday 02:50 hours While on routine patrol, Officer Mike Shepard observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Shepard conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver who stated that he was “just driving around.” While speaking with the driver, Shepard noticed a large marijuana pipe in the back seat. Shepard confiscated the pipe and cited the driver for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Theft of Gas Monday 11:53 hours Officer John Larrive was dispatched to a local gas station on a theft of gas report. Upon arrival, he was met by the store employee who stated that vehicle pumped $24.07 worth of gasoline and then drove off without paying. The employee was able to obtain a suspect description as well as the plate number which came back to a gray Ford Escape. A letter was sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. Case pending. Warrant Arrest Tuesday 09:14 hours Officer John Larrive along with Sergeant Eric Petersen received an anonymous tip that an adult female residing in the city has an active warrant. Officers confirmed the warrant and responded to the residence where was staying. The females mother answered the door and directed officers to the basement where her daughter was sleeping. Officers detained the female and she was transported to Dakota County Jail. 3 3 05/22 ‐ 05/28 2015 YTD Calls for Service 114 2,755 Citations 14 227 Warnings 20 256 Police Reports 14 441 Response Time Average 5.53 5.27 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! Alcohol is involved in about 30% of fatal boat accident in Minnesota. The following stressors can slow your reacƟon Ɵme, especially when combined with alcohol: Boat noise, wind, heat and glare from the sun, boat vibraƟon. Even a good swimmer can drown while intoxicated. Wear your life jacket. Most boaƟng deaths are falls overboard or capsizing accidents involving boats less than 19 feet long. OperaƟng a motorboat while under the inﬂuence is illegal and you could: Be ﬁned. Spend Ɵme in jail. Lose your motorboat operaƟng privileges. Lose your driver’s license and your car/truck license plates. Lose your boat and trailer through forfeiture. Don’t lose the ones you love! MN Dept. of Natural Resources Boat & Water Safety 500 LafayeƩe Road St. Paul, MN 55155‐4046 (651) 259.5400 (MN toll free) 1‐888‐646‐6367 E‐mail: boatandwater.dnr@state.mn.us