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08 14 15 JTF1 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming Bobby Lambert POLICE OFFICERS Jerry Murphy John Larrive Todd Rosse Jeff VonFeldt Steven Meyer Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Nick Gorgos Robin Nelson Steve Hilyar Phillip McCarty 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 AUGUST 14, 2015 Parents play an important role in keeping young people out of gangs. Parents are encouraged to monitor their acƟviƟes, foster close relaƟonships with them and use posiƟve and consistent discipline. Youths tend to join gangs because they think they will earn a lot of money, gain status, show pride, feel a gang will provide protecƟon for them or have been pressured by a gang. The most common age to join a gang is age 15 but many join a gang as early as 12 years old. It is more common for males to consider gangs, but females gangs are also common. Gang involvement has very dangerous consequences. Youth involved in gang acƟvity are more likely to commit crimes and tend to be vicƟms of violence themselves. Females are vulnerable to sexual vicƟmizaƟon. Youths in gangs are less likely to graduate high school or ﬁnd stable, legiƟmate jobs and they are more likely to have alcohol or drugs problems and as a result health problems. A few common gang idenƟﬁers include: Colors, Symbols/Numbers, Clothing/Apparel, GraffiƟ, Social Media, Gang‐Inﬂuenced Music & Movies, Sports Items, TaƩoos, & Hand Signs. Other Suspicious Signs: Withdrawing from family acƟviƟes Changed academic performance or school aƩendance ConfrontaƟonal behavior, disrespect for parental authority Staying out late Desire for secrecy Outbursts, aggression Excessive worry about safety Sudden negaƟve aƫtudes toward posiƟons of authority Change in aƫtude involving normal acƟviƟes DrasƟc changes in personal style Withdrawal from longƟme friends and forming a new group of friends Suspected use of drugs or alcohol Possession of ﬁrearms or weapons Non‐accidental physical injuries Unexplained cash or goods How can you help your child avoid gangs: Talk to your child about the negaƟve consequences of gang behaviors and ways to avoid them Get to know your child’s friends and the friends’ parents Familiarize yourself with the Internet, popular slang terms, and your child’s online acƟvity Talk to your child about ways to deal with pressure from friends Limit interacƟon with gang‐involved individuals Parents—What you need to know about gangs 2 2 DOMESTIC Wednesday 20:04 hours Officer Jenny Fordham responded to a call for assistance regarding a reporting party who had sent a message by Facebook to a friend to call the police; the friend did so and called 911. Upon arrival, Fordham and Officer Rosse could hear what sounded like an assault in progress, gained entry and found the combatants in an upper level of the residence . The officer immediately intervened escalating assault, pulled them apart and removed the daughter in order to calm them and speak with them individually. After discussions with both parties, it was soon learned that these were not mutual combatants, and that the daughter was clearly going to be removed from the home, transported to the Juvenile Detention Center and charged with 5th degree Domestic Assault and Gross Misdemeanor charge of Interference with 911 Call. WARRANT ARREST Thursday 11:59 hours While on patrol, Sergeant Tanner Spicer ran a plate that came back to a registered owner with a warrant for his arrest. He stopped the vehicle and identified the driver and learned the driver was not the registered owner. However, it was the owner’s son, almost the same name and appearance, who had also had a warrant for his arrest for not paying Child Support. He was given a ride to jail to be booked for his warrant. IDENTITY THEFT Thursday 1346 hours Officer Rosse took a report in our lobby regarding an identity theft. The victim had learned that someone used his information to file a fraudulent tax return. IRS was notified by the victim; police required for follow up purposes. TRESPASS Thursday 1956 hours Officer Steve Hilyar was checking a portion of Ivy Falls that is private property marked as “No Trespassing” and found five adults hanging out there. They were identified and informed they would be receiving cita- tions. All were issued citations for Trespassing. CAR vs. GARBAGE TRUCK Friday 0840 hours Officers were called to the scene of a SUV vs. garbage truck incident. The SUV was waiting behind the truck, but was not seen by the garbage truck driver when he backed up. No citations, closed. SCRAPPERS Sunday 0411 hours Witnesses reported two people at a construction site in the dumpsters. Upon arrival Officer Nick Gorgos, with Officer Mike Shepard and Officer Jeff VonFeldt did find two individuals taking materials from the dumpster. The same truck had been seen earlier in the week with an air conditioning unit in the bed of the truck; this same truck still had that A/C unit along with some other metals and scrap. The owner of the AC unit did not want to press charges. Property owners were advised of the situation and prevention ideas. DETOX Sunday 1832 hours Caller reported his ex-wife was extremely intoxicated and causing a scene at the boat landing. Upon arrival, they found the caller and his son, and learned his ex was very intoxicated and acting irrational and had now left the area. Sergeant Bobby Lambert and Officer Robin Nelson searched the area for the woman but she was not located. The ex-husband believed she probably caught a ride with a stranger and he wanted no fur- ther action. Officers cleared. 3 3 DAR Sunday 0824 hours Officer Shepard responded to a call for a possible slumper at an address bordering with West St Paul. Upon arrival, the driver was found sleeping in the driver’s seat. When he was able to wake her, the driver informed him she had been too tired to drive home. In the course of their discussion, he observed a large kitchen knife near her; she informed him she carried it for safety. When he asked to her produce her driver’s license, which was a MN ID card, she touched the knife. Shepard then asked her to take her hand off the knife and exit the car. She complied and when asked if she had any other weapons on her person, she stated no; however, he did find a folding knife on her person. Her plates were also found to be altered, and she was charged with several violations. She was driven to a gas station to call for a ride. THEFTS FROM AUTO Monday 2130 hours Officer Robin Nelson & Officer Phil McCarty both took a report of theft from autos where the vehicle win- dows were smashed and items were stolen from within the auto. No suspects or witnesses; case is inactive. Remember—keep valuables/temptations out of your vehicle and keep serial numbers of valuables somewhere accessible—it truly helps for investigative purposes. SUSPICIOUS MALE Monday 1151 hours Officer Phil McCarty responded to an after-the-fact report of a suspicious male who had been at the gas sta- tion Friday evening. Upon arrival, they learned from the RP that the male, who wore a mask, attempted to gain access to an ATM with a card that resembled a credit/debit card, but was just a swipe card. He attempt- ed access by using a self-designed “skimming” gadget - truly an ineffective effort. No crime occurred; case closed. THEFT OF GAS Tuesday 1002 hours A local gas station called to report a theft of fuel. Officer Fordham responded to take the report and received good information to follow-up on for investigation. Case pending. IDENTITY THEFT Tuesday 1400 hours A resident came in to report he had been the victim of identity theft. Officer Fordham learned from the victim that someone had used his reward points to order their own reward and a short time later was notified that someone used his account data to apply for a debit card. The transaction was luckily stopped and the victim was not out money, and the bank is investigating. Report needed for his Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Report. VANDALISM Wednesday 1043 hours A caller reported someone painting a wall near the railroad tracks with a brush. Officer Phil McCarty found the suspect, took him into custody and cited him for Criminal Damage to Property and Trespassing on Railroad Property. DOMESTIC Wednesday 2340 hours Sergeant Lambert, along with Officers Mike Shepard, Steve Hilyar and Robin Nelson, responded to a report of a father/son altercation in progress. Upon arrival, they found the father yelling at the adult son. The belligerent father insisted he could stand where he wanted on his own property and refused to comply with orders to separate for everyone’s safety; he was detained and placed in the back of the squad. He soon calmed down. Officers took the information from all parties of what transpired, learned that an assault had tran- spired and learned neither party wished to pursue charges. Officers cleared; no charges. 4 4 IDENTITY THEFT While most of us enjoy the luxury of the internet and the speed and variety of resources it offers, we at MHPD see the negaƟves more than the posiƟve. The adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” oŌen comes to mind as we take reports of false IRS claims, scams, and use of fraudulent data. Vigilance and cauƟon are keys to prevenƟon, but if you ﬁnd yourself a vicƟm of idenƟty theŌ or compromised accounts, we have found a great resource is the Federal Trade Commission’s IdenƟty TheŌ website. Visit this site before you become a vicƟm to learn about some excellent advice, steps and resources. 08/06‐ 08/13 2015 YTD Calls for Service 151 4476 Citations 13 356 Warnings 14 471 Police Reports 34 695 Response Time Average 6.3 5.4 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! 5 5