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02 17 17 JTF 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department CHIEF Kelly McCarthy SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming POLICE OFFICERS John Larrive Todd Rosse Jeff VonFeldt Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Nick Gorgos Robin Nelson Steve Hilyar Philip McCarty Weston Raberge INVESTIGATIONS Chad Willson SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Jennifer Fordham COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER Eric Hagelee SUPPORT STAFF Kim Henning Trista Miller Shayna Hoechst Becky Pentel RESERVES Randy Pentel Jim Knox Jeff Parker Jon Clayton Dan Iverson CHAPLAINS Butch Millett John Snider Alberto Vargas Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Joel Detlefsen Lenny Andrie FEBRUARY 17 2017 Not everyone using online dating sites is looking for love. Scammers create fake online profiles using photos of other people — even stolen pictures of real military personnel. They profess their love quickly. And they tug at your heartstrings with made-up stories about how they need money — for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel. Why all of the tricks? They’re looking to steal your money. As if all that isn’t bad enough, romance scammers are now involving their victims in online bank fraud. Here’s how it works: The scammers set up dating profiles to meet potential victims. After they form a “relationship,” they come up with reasons to ask their love interest to set up a new bank account. The scammers transfer stolen money into the new account, and then tell their victims to wire the money out of the country. Victims think they’re just helping out their soulmate, never realizing they’re aiding and abetting a crime. Here are some warning signs that an online love interest might be a fake. They ask to:  chat off of the dating site immediately, using personal email, text, or phone  wire money using Western Union or Money Gram  set up a new bank account Did you know you can do an image search of your love interest’s photo in your favorite search engine? If you do an image search and the person’s photo appears under several different names, you’re probably dealing with a scammer. And if the person’s online profile disappears a few days after they meet you, that’s another tip-off. Here’s the real deal: Don’t send money to someone you met online — for any reason. If your online sweetheart asks for money, you can expect it’s a scam. Unfortunately, online dating scams are all too common. There may be tens of thousands of victims, and only a small fraction report it to the FTC. If this happens to you, please report it at ftc.gov/complaint - click on Scams and Rip-Offs, then select Romance Scams. 2 CHECK WELFARE — 2XXX Timmy St FRIDAY, 2/10, 1113 HOURS Officers were dispatched to a residence to check on the welfare of the homeowner. RP observed several boxes of food that were left at the house and had not seen the homeowner in quite some time. Officers arrived to find homeowner laying on the ground. The home was in disarray and the paramedics were called to assist. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY — 1XXX Hwy 13 SATURDAY, 2/11, 1608 HOURS Officer observed a vehicle with expired registration parked in a parking lot. A short time later, he passed the same vehicle, in the same spot, with a shattered window. He left a business card and a received a phone call from the vehicle owner. The owner said that someone had forcefully entered his vehicle and that items were missing from it. No suspects. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY — 1XXX Hwy 13 SATURDAY, 2/11, 1655 HOURS Officer was dispatched to a parking lot on a damage to vehicle report. Vehicle owner stated that when she returned to her vehicle, she noticed glass on the passenger seat and door area. It looked as though someone had used a pry tool to attempt entry. Entry was unsuccessful but damage to the vehicle had occurred. No suspects. 5TH DEGREE ASSAULT — 8XX Wagon Wheel Tr SATURDAY, 2/11, 1949 HOURS Officers were dispatched to the area on a report of an individual who chased after juveniles after they walked on his property without his permission. The male grabbed one of their arms. All parties were spoken to and it was decided they did not wish to pursue anything further. WARRANT ARREST — 1XXX Hwy 13 SATURDAY, 2/11, 2227 HOURS Officers dispatched to Big River Scenic Overlook to assist Dakota County Park Rangers who were out with two individuals in the park after hours. One individual had an arrest warrant and was transported to Dakota County Jail. POSSESSION MARIJUANA — 1XXX Mendota Heights Rd SATURDAY, 2/11, 2303 HOURS Officer responded to a disturbance report in a parking lot. Vehicle was located and driver was found to be in possession of marijuana. The passenger admitted to alcohol consumption. The driver was cited for possession of marijuana and the parties were advised to call for a ride. THEFT FROM MV — 1XXX Diane Rd SUNDAY, 2/12, 1500 HOURS Officer was dispatched to a home on a theft form vehicle report. Officer made contact with the victim who stated that she had left her vehicle parked unlocked on her driveway all weekend with her purse inside of it. She discovered her purse was missing and all of its contents. No suspects. FRAUD — 2XXX Lexington Ave MONDAY, 2/13, 1630 HOURS Victim reported products were purchased from a cellular provider in California and billed to her T-Mobile account. T-Mobile will reverse the charges on her account. POSSESSION MARIJUANA — Garden/Hiawatha WED, 2/15, 0338 HOURS A vehicle containing two occupants was stopped and identified. Officer could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search was performed and marijuana and drug paraphernalia was found. All drugs were confiscated and a citation was issued to the driver for possession of drug paraphernalia. 5TH DEGREE ASSAULT — 2XXX Hwy 13 WED, 2/15, 1435 HOURS Officers responded to the area on a 911 call. The call was an assault involving several people. A KOPS alert was sent out to an area agency to pick up two suspects. One party was located and arrested and the other party still has an active KOPS alert. 3 2/10– 2/16 2017 YTD Calls for Service 163 1,188 Citations 30 194 Warnings 14 81 Police Reports 24 174 Response Time Average 4.68 5.75 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 or email jennyf@mendota-heights.com 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. 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! Today is the last day to get your coloring contest entries to us! Deadline is 4:30pm. You can find the contest details on our website: www.mendota-heights.com Thank you to everyone who has delivered theirs to MHPD. Our lobby is so colorfully decorated! Winners will be announced Tue, Feb 21st!