09 07 12 JTF09/08/2012
The Mendota
Heights Police
Department
Support Staff
Kim Henning
Sandie Ristine
Susan Donovan
Becky Pentel
Police Officers
Jerry Murphy
Scott Patrick
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Tanner Spicer
Todd Rosse
Chad Willson
Jeff VonFeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
School Resource Officer
Jennifer Fordham
Investigations
Mario Reyes
Tanner Spicer
Sergeants
Neil Garlock
Brian Convery
Eric Petersen
Reserves
Randy Pentel
Jesse Mettner
Jarrod Spicer
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
George Castillo
Chaplains
John Snider
Lynn Liberman
Frances Colon
Alberto Vargas
Butch Millett
David Wick
Chief
Mike Aschenbrener
DWI x 2 Friday 2332 hours
While driving northbound Hwy 13, Officer Denise Urmann came across
what she believed to be a two vehicle accident on the side of the road.
The windshield of one of the vehicles was starred. A young male got out
of that vehicle with a bloody hand – and when asked what happened, he
explained that his transmission broke and in his frustration he punched
the windshield! While speaking to the driver, it became very apparent
that he was intoxicated. He failed all field sobriety tests and was arrested
for DUI. He was booked in the Jail and released early the next day. His
broken down vehicle was towed. Officer Meyer arrived and spoke to the
driver of the second vehicle, who had come from the same bar as his
friend. That driver was attempting to tow the disabled vehicle with a tow
strap. Driver #2 appeared even more impaired but did not go along with
the program. He was arrested for DUI and Refusal and was provided an
extended stay at the Dakota County Jail. His work truck went on the
same flatbed as his friends!
Driving After Revocation/Warrant Arrest Saturday 1611 hours
Sergeant Eric Petersen was dispatched to a suspicious person call where
the caller stated she was approached by a male asking for money and if
there was any work he could perform. The caller gave a description of
the vehicle with a license plate. Sergeant Petersen located the vehicle
and when he ran the license plate the registered owner showed a license
status of revoked with a warrant. The vehicle was stopped and the driver
was arrested and transported to jail. The vehicle was towed.
Assist Other Agency Monday 2139 hours
Sergeant Brian Convery assisted the Minnesota State Patrol with a
driving complaint. The vehicle was driving well below the posted speed
limit and was swerving all over the road. Sergeant Convery located the
vehicle and made a traffic stop. When he approached he noticed that the
driver had vomited on the door and she was displaying signs of
intoxication. There was also a small child in the vehicle. A state trooper
arrived and ran the driver through field sobriety which she failed. She
ultimately admitted to consuming a small amount of alcohol and being on
prescription medications. Sergeant Convery assisted with taking care of
the young child until a relative arrived while the trooper handled the
arrest.
“Just the Facts”
The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department
09/08/2012
Personal Injury Accident Tuesday 0744 hours
Officer John Larrive responded to a personal injury accident where a
bicyclist was cut off by a motorist who turned and cut off the biker. The
driver stated they did not see the biker due to the sun being in their eyes.
The cyclist sustained minor injuries but was not transported to the
hospital.
Theft from Auto Wednesday 2000 hours
Sergeants Petersen and Convery both took theft from auto reports from a
parking lot adjacent to the trail system. In both cases windows were
broken to gain access to the vehicle and valuables were taken. Both
cases were forwarded to investigations for follow-up, no suspects at this
time.
Suspicious Person/Traffic Stop Thursday 0920 hours
Officer John Larrive responded to a hotel on a report of a male cutting up
copper pipes in the parking lot near a vehicle. Additionally, it was
reported that there was a radiator on top of the vehicle and a large amount
of electrical wire nearby. Officer Larrive made contact with the male
who stated he had obtained the materials from numerous dumpsters and a
demolition site in a neighboring jurisdiction. Both of the parties were
identified and found that neither had a valid driver’s license or insurance.
They were advised that follow-up would be conducted and to not drive
the vehicle due to being uninsured and neither having a license. Officer
Larrive went to the demolition site to gather further information and
determine if a crime had occurred, he met with the site supervisor who
verified that the materials had in fact come from their but he was
unwilling to pursue that matter. A short time later Officer Larrive was in
the area of the hotel again and observed the vehicle being driven by the
male. The vehicle was stopped and he was arrested for driving after
suspension and operating a motor vehicle without insurance. The female
registered owner and passenger was arrested for not having insurance on
her vehicle. Both were transported to the Dakota County Jail and the
vehicle was towed. A crime alert was sent out to other agencies to see if
the two may be suspects in recent thefts.
Safety First – School Bus Arm Violations
School bus stop arm violations can occur any time during the school year
but they seem to be more frequent at the beginning and end of the school
year. Drivers of all ages are being cited for running the stop arm of a
school bus, and the number one reason most drivers give us is that they
did not see the bus! Many people have trouble with the issue of the
yellow lights on the bus, when they start flashing they don’t know if they
should stop or go or just what to do. Here are some guidelines for what
to do when the yellow lights flash!
09/08/2012
• Bus drivers are required to activate the yellow flashing lights on the bus at least 100 feet
before stopping while in a 35 mph zone or less, and at least 300 feet when they are in a
speed zone of 35 mph or more. It is the opinion of many people that those distances may
not be adequate and I know that bus drivers are very good about adjusting to the traffic
conditions as they drive their routes.
• Drivers of vehicles who are encountering school buses need to slow down and be ready
to stop if need be. The stop arm may come out while you are attempting to go around. If
you are meeting a bus, you have the opportunity to communicate with the bus driver, but
if you are coming from behind the bus then you really have to be careful.
• Treat the yellow flashing lights on the bus as being red. In other words, plan on stopping
if you can. If you are already going around or meeting the bus and the yellow flashing
lights come on, then of course you would continue. If you are way back and the yellow
lights start flashing, then plan on stopping unless for some reason the situation dictates
otherwise. Driving past or meeting a school bus transporting children can be a hazard, so
again, slow down and be prepared to stop if needed.
• Remember that when you stop for a school bus stop arm and sign, you have to stop at
least 20 feet away from the bus, and you can’t start moving your vehicle until the sign
goes in and the red lights stop flashing. If we all work together on this, we can see a great
reduction in these violations.
Have a safe weekend, Denise & Peyton