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03 08 19 JTF 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department MARCH 08 2019 CHIEF Kelly McCarthy CAPTAIN Wayne Wegener SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming POLICE OFFICERS John Larrive Todd Rosse Chad Willson Jeff VonFeldt Philip McCarty Weston Raberge Peter Renteria Cara Hogan Tony Patton Ryan Yauch Tommy Albindia Eric Hagelee Leif Vandersteen INVESTIGATIONS Nick Gorgos SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Steve Hilyar COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER Coming soon! SUPPORT STAFF Kim Richter Trista Miller Shayna Hoechst Becky Pentel RESERVES Jim Knox Jeff Parker CHAPLAINS Butch Millett John Snider Alberto Vargas Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Joel Detlefsen Mike VerWay Don’t be a victim to a “GHOST” tax return preparer The IRS warns taxpayers to avoid unethical tax return preparers, known as ghost preparers. By law, anyone who is paid to prepare or assist in preparing federal tax returns must have a valid 2019 Preparer Tax Identification Number, or PTIN. Paid preparers must sign the return and include their PTIN. But ‘ghost’ preparers do not sign the return. Instead, they print the return and tell the taxpayer to sign and mail it to the IRS. Or, for e-filed returns, they prepare but refuse to digitally sign it as the paid preparer. According to the IRS, similar to other tax preparation schemes, dishonest and unscrupulous ghost tax return preparers look to make a fast buck by promising a big refund or charging fees based on a percentage of the refund. These scammers hurt honest taxpayers who are simply trying to do the right thing and file a legitimate tax return. FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-dont-be-victim-to-a-ghost-tax-return-preparer TARGETING TAXPAYERS Telephone Scams How the scam works: Criminals pose as IRS employees and call victims, demanding immediate payment of a so-called tax debt. Payments are often requested via prepaid debit cards and/or money wires. The caller will ask to stay on the line or otherwise call repeatedly while the victim completes the transaction. The caller may use a condescending tone and will often threaten to file a lawsuit, call the police or involve federal law enforcement agencies if the victim doesn ’t comply. The call may appear to come from emergency services and/or a local/federal law enforcement agency but the fraudsters are faking, or “spoofing” the caller ID to only appear to come from a legitimate agency. What taxpayers should do: Hang up the phone. Know that the IRS would never call to threaten or demand immediate tax payment. The agency offers taxpayers a chance to appeal any amount in question and offers numerous ways of resolving a tax liability. FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/consumer-alert-scammers-change-tactics-once-again 2 PHISHING EMAILS How the scam works: Criminals send an email to your personal or business account(s) appearing to be from the IRS. The email usually features the IRS logo, uses agency language and asks taxpayers to provide sensitive information. It may also ask recipients to open an attachment or click on a link embedded within the email to supposedly give the taxpayer account access. In a more recent variation called “spear phishing,” the criminal, having done research on the victim ahead of time, will send an email posing as a trusted source. The email will make an urgent plea to click on a link and update an account immediately. The link will then direct the victim to what seems to be a trusted website but is in reality a phishing website controlled by the thief who can install malicious software. What taxpayers should do: Do not provide personal information, click on links or open attachments from emails pretending to be from the IRS. Know that the IRS does not initiate contact by email or social media channels. The agency gets in touch with taxpayers through paper letters mailed by the U.S. Postal Service. IRS letters and notices are mailed to the taxpayer’s most recent address on file. Forward the email as-is, preferably with the full email headers to phishing@irs.gov. Delete the original email. FAKE CHARITY DONATION REQUESTS How the scam works: Criminals set up fake charities to attract donations from unsuspecting contributors. The scammers prey on well-intentioned taxpayers, especially during times of distress, such as following a natural disaster. They solicit money either by phone, email or even in person. The Scammers may even contact disaster victims and claim to be working on behalf of the IRS with the goal of gaining access to personal information under the pretext of filing a casualty loss claim. What taxpayers should do: Don’t give out personal or financial information such as Social Security numbers. Be wary of charities with names that resemble nationally-known charity organizations. The IRS has an online search tool called the Tax Exempt Organization Search which allows people to find legitimate, qualified charities to whom a donation may be tax deductible. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check or another way that provides documentation of the gift. Taxpayers who want to report suspected tax fraud activity can do so by completing Form 3949-A, Information Referral. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts 3 PD ACCIDENT — Pilot Knob Road 03/01/19, 1127 HOURS Responded to a two car property damage accident at the intersection of Mendota Heights Rd and Pilot Knob Rd. Met with both drivers and one witness. State Accident Report threshold was not met. Both vehicles driven from the scene. SCHOOL BUS STOP ARM VIOLATION — Hwy 13 03/01/2019, 1610 HOURS ISD 197 school bus driver sent a stop arm violation to the police department. With information provided, I was able to get the owners phone number. Spoke with the owner, claimed it was his brother. Spoke with him, he admitted to driving the vehicle, but denied the violation. Citation issued and mailed to the address provided. Cleared by citation 4th DEG DWI — Sibley Memorial Hwy 03/02/2019, 0426 HOURS Officer observed a driver pull into a gas station on the 900 block of Highway 13 and then walk into the store. Officer was informed by staff that the driver was showing signs of impairment. Officer then observed the driver get picked up by a friend. Officer later conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and spoke with the individuals. Officer could smell the odor of consumed alcoholic beverages coming from inside the vehicle and conducted a roadside field sobriety test on the original driver who was inside the gas station. The driver submitted to a PBT and blew over the legal limit. Driver was placed under arrest and was booked and released from the Dakota County Jail. 4th DEG DWI — Delaware Ave 03/03/2019, 0238 HOURS Officer observed a vehicle swerving and driving in the shoulder of Highway 62 near Dodd Road and conducted a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, the officer could smell the odor of alcoholic bever- age coming from inside the vehicle. The driver admitted to drinking prior to driving. Officer conducted a roadside field sobriety test and the driver submitted to a PBT of 0.15. Officer arrested the driver and transported him to the Dakota County Jail where he was booked and released for Misdemeanor 4th Degree DWI. DOMESTIC — 5XX Marie Avenue 03/03/2019, 1653 HOURS Officers responded to residence in 500 block of Marie Ave for a 911 hang-up. Officers learned it was a domestic disturbance in progress between mother and teenage son. Son went home with father for the night, interview completed. Case to be forwarded to already assigned social worker at Dakota County Social Services TRESPASSING — 1XXX Ester Lane 03/03/2019, 1750 HOURS Officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Ester Lane for a report of a disturbance. A neighbor entered another neighbors residence without consent. Officers spoke with both parties and a citation was mailed to one party for trespassing. 4 BURGLARY — 2XXX Bridgeview Ct 03/04/19, 0350 HOURS Officers responded to report of a burglary that occurred around 0400 hours on the 2400 block of Bridgeview Ct. Officer determined that garage and house were entered using a garage door opener from a unlocked vehicle in the driveway. Video surveillance was available and a suspect was photographed. BURGLARY — 1XXX Lexington Ave 03/05/19, 1103 HOURS Home owner in the 1600 block of Lexington Ave discovered someone had forced entry into his locked residence. Suspect entered through the shattered glass on the front door. Home owner has a Nest interior camera. There is a video that was captured. The male enters the residence, walks across the main floor, passes through the kitchen, into a den, back out through the kitchen, steals a checkbook from the center island and leaves the residence through the same door. Photos were taken, Nest video has been attached. Case Status: Forwarded to investigations. TAX EVASION — Hwy 13 03/05/19, 1407 HOURS Officer observed a vehicle with expired registration near the intersection of Highway 13 and Riverside Lane. A traffic stop was performed and the registration on the vehicle was altered. The male was transported to the Dakota County jail. PD ACCIDENT — 1XXX Commerce Drive 03/05/19, 1600 HOURS Dispatched to a property damage crash where a vehicle was struck while it was parked in a lot in the 1500 block of Commerce Drive. Driver of vehicle that hit the victims vehicle left a note with his name and phone number and left the scene. Made contact with driver who provided his personal and vehicle information. Photos taken. 3rd DEG DWI— 35E Southbound 03/07/19, 0235 HOURS Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a speeding violation on Interstate 35E at Wagon Wheel. While speaking with the driver, the officer could smell the odor of alcoholic beverages coming from inside the vehicle. Officer conducted a roadside field sobriety test where the driver was administered a PBT and blew over the legal limit. The driver was arrested and was booked and released from the Dakota County Jail for 3rd Degree Gross Misdemeanor DWI. Have a Safe Week! 5 3/1 - 3/7 2019 YTD Calls for Service 201 2,154 Police Reports 17 212 Citations 43 272 Warnings 52 457 Response Time Average 7.27 6.77 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 Vacation/House Check Request online form is available on our website; you can also complete a form found in our lobby, or simply give us a call! MHPD offers a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the PD where Dakota County residents can safely & anonymously dispose of their prescription drug medication. This program is mainly meant to keep narcotics off the streets and dispose of medications in environmentally sound ways. ** No needles/sharps. Visit the Green Guide for tips. ** Please visit the Dakota County Recycling Zone for helpful resources for all safe disposal solutions. Car Seat Checks—TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE Please visit the MN DPS for more information. Questions/Comments? Email us at: pdrecords@ mendota-heights.com Questions? Call our Non-Emergency Line @ 651.452.1366. Need Public Safety Response? Call 911 FTC.GOV The Federal Trade Commission’s website has an exuberant amount of useful information for each and every one of us. From information on how to freeze your credit to registering for the Do Not Call list to reporting Identity Theft, there is excellent information for all consumers. If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, we highly advise you take a look!