01 17 14 JTF1
Come one, Come all, to the “Hottest”
Wing Eating Challenge of All!
The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
SUPPORT STAFF
Kim Henning
Trista Miller
Becky Pentel
POLICE OFFICERS
Jerry Murphy
Scott Patrick
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Tanner Spicer
Todd Rosse
Jeff Vonfeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICER
Jennifer Fordham
INVESTIGATIONS
Mario Reyes
Chad Willson
SERGEANTS
Neil Garlock
Brian Convery
Eric Petersen
RESERVES
Randy Pentel
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
George Castillo
CHAPLAINS
Frances Cuenca
Joel Detlefsen
Lynn Liberman
Butch Millett
Sue Plucker
John Snider
David Wick
Lenny Andrie
CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
JANUARY 17, 2014
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
Submitted By: Police Sergeant Brian Convery
AMBER alerts are now automatically sent through the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
program to millions of cell phone users nationwide. WEA AMBER Alerts use a different
kind of technology to ensure the alerts are delivered immediately and are not subjected
to potential congestion (or delays) on wireless networks. WEA AMBER Alerts use a point‐
to‐mulƟpoint system, which means alert messages will be sent to those within a targeted
area, unlike text messages which are not locaƟon aware.
The first AMBER Alert via WEA was sent to Minneapolis, MN residents. Within minutes, a
teenager who received the alert, called 911 leading police to safely recover the abducted
child.
StaƟsƟcs show that the first three hours aŌer an abducƟon are the most criƟcal in recov‐
ery efforts. The ability to engage the public in the search for an abducted child can help
law enforcement bring that child home safely. The good news is your cell phone is al‐
ready enabled to receive AMBER ALERTS.
If you receive an AMBER Alert and you see the missing child or suspect vehicle, call 911
immediately. You may help save a life.
MHPD & MHFD will be heating things up at the first ever Wing-Eating Contest,
February 1, 2014 from 1 –4 pm at The Moose Country! Break out of your cabin fever
and warm up with the community to witness who will is the best “Bone Collector!”
MHPD is an enthusiastic supporter of Special Olympics and in an effort to continue this
tradition, we are still seeking raffle prize donations. We will accept cash donations to
purchase raffle items, or if you’d rather contribute a prize, we would gladly accept those
too.
Prize Ideas: Goody baskets (coffee, beer, spa, wine, chocolate), event tickets or
packages, kid-friendly prizes, sporting goods, or collectibles. Contact MHPD at
651.452.1366 to make a tax-deductible prize donation.
2
OFP Violation Friday 1201 hours
Officer John Larrive was called to speak with a resident regarding a possible OFP violation, as the caller had
received a letter from her ex. However, the caller had cooperatively given the letter back to the ex and the
proof was now gone. She was advised on procedures if future violations were to occur. Officers cleared.
Driving Complaint Friday 1746 hours
Officer Tanner Spicer was advised off a driving complaint that had entered Mendota Heights, where the
driver was all over the road. The caller was following the vehicle and was giving directions, but lost the vehi-
cle as it was leaving our city. State Patrol resumed the quest for the vehicle. Officers cleared.
Suspicious Person Friday 1837 hours
Officer Peyton Fleming and Officer Spicer responded to a residence where the homeowner had heard
someone in the garage, knocking on the service door. The homeowner and son remained locked within the
home and officers arrived and were able to clear the area and the home. No tracks were found and nothing
suspicious was found. Officers cleared.
AOA/Robbery Friday 1850 hours
Officer Fleming responded to assist West St Paul in a search for a robbery suspect at a pharmacy. The suspect
was believed to have committed the robbery at Target earlier also. He was not found at this time, officers
cleared. Evidently the robber decided to press his luck and try to rob another area pharmacy. This time, his
luck ran out and West St Paul PD apprehended him.
Detox Saturday 0253 hours
Officer Urmann responded to a local gas station on report of an intoxicate female who had fallen and
wouldn’t get up. She cleared upon learning sober friends had arrived, picked her up and drove her away.
Solicitors Saturday 1512 hours
The warmer weather brought out solicitors, hoping to find some clients they could paint for. However, our
ordinance bans soliciting. Officer Patrick located the painters, warned them of the ordinance, and advised
them to speak with city hall about process. Officers cleared.
5th Degree Assault Sunday 2310 hours
Officers Urmann and Spicer were called to a domestic and upon arrival, found four people arguing. Once
the parties were calmed, they were able to piece together the story. Evidently an older sister had come to the
house to visit her little sister and learned her brother was in his bedroom entertaining his girlfriend, which
the older sister thought was disrespectful to the mother. An argument began and escalated as some family
members went after the girlfriend and the brother tried to intervene. Somehow, amidst all the
finger-pointing, two assaulting parties received citations for 5th Degree Assault. Cleared by Arrest.
3
Theft from Auto Monday 1136 hours
Officer Patrick responded to a local business who reported they had vehicles broken into overnight. Suspect
information was given and case has been forwarded to investigators.
Burglary Monday 1241 hours
Sergeant Garlock and Officer Patrick responded to a residential burglary, where the homeowner had returned
and found the door forced open. The whole family had left the residence after 0730 hours. The burglars
stole jewelry, a laptop, an iPad and camera equipment. Luckily they had serial numbers for many of their
items to help in the search for the suspect. Keep photos of jewelry and detailed property information that
includes serial numbers in safe place in the event it is ever stolen—it is a key tool in criminal apprehension.
Accident Tuesday 1100 hours
Officers Scott Patrick and Bobby Lambert responded to report of an accident where it was suspected the driver
was having a medical in progress. Upon approaching the vehicle that was now off the road in a snowbank, the
driver was seen slumped over and appeared unconscious. Officer Patrick broke the window and soon officers
were able to get the driver out of the vehicle and HealthEast transported the man. Officers cleared.
Check Welfare Tuesday 1241 hours
Officer Todd Rosse responded to the lobby to assist a family member who had not heard from her sister since
the night before. An argument had taken place, and the sister, who was intoxicated at the time, had left in her
vehicle. They didn’t suspect she would harm herself but she was not responding to calls and they didn’t feel
she was well dressed for the weather. A KOPS alert was issued; case pending updated information.
Furnish to Minor/Open Bottle Thursday 0020 hours
A Dakota County Park Ranger, while patrolling area parks, came upon a vehicle parked after hours in one of
our park areas. Upon making contact with the occupants, he observed alcohol containers inside the vehicle.
Officer Meyer was called and took over the incident. The driver, who was under 21, refused to submit to a
PBT and was arrested and cited for underage consumption, under 21 drink and drive, and possession of mari-
juana and drug paraphernalia, as well as open bottle. The passenger was arrested for gross misdemeanor
charge of supplying alcohol to a minor, in addition to possession of marijuana and open bottle charges. All
alcohol and contraband was seized for evidence and the car was towed. Both parties took a ride to DC Jail,
where the driver was booked and released and the driver was held for formal complaint. Cleared by Arrest
DUI Thursday 0020 hours
While standing by on scene for the tow for the above incident, Sergeant Eric Petersen watched a car as it hit a
snowbank landing in the ditch. As he headed to the scene, the driver stumbled out of the vehicle and Sergeant
Petersen inhaled the fragrance of alcohol coming from him. The driver stated he had just left the bar he
works at and that he only had one beer. All visible signs and the proceeding SFST’s demonstrated otherwise
and were soon proven upon testing. The PBT gave a .257 and the evidentiary test showed a .27. Must have
been one very strong drink. But, the suspect was very polite throughout. The state had ordered plate im-
poundment and vehicle forfeiture upon next DUI, so that process was also handled. The driver was taken to
the Dakota County Jail and booked for 2nd Degree DUI formal charges. Cleared by Arrest.
4
In the spirit of competition, we at MHPD would like to inform you that in the summer, 2014 MHPD
vs MHFD Kickball Competition, MHPD was the clear winner in that challenge. We are just as
confident that we will maintain our champion status in this event. Come & cheer us ALL on!
5
2014
Core Value Awards
The City of Mendota
Heights staff in its
entirety has elected 4
core values that we feel
represent the Mendota
Heights staff. Below
are the employees who
have been selected to
represent each
core value:
Respectful
Nancy Bauer
Engineering/Public
Works/Fire
Department Secretary
Ethical
Rich Burrows
Utilities Leadworker
Service Oriented
Sergeant Neil Garlock
Professional
Cliff Kirchner
Public Works
Mechanic
Congratulations!
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!
Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood:
http://mendota.prophoenix.com/CS/CrimeMapping.aspx
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. Make your House Check
Request online at www.mendota‐heights.com, visit us in the MHPD lobby to com‐
plete a form or call us and we will take your info over the phone.
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.
1/10—1/17 2014 YTD
Calls for Service 157 364
Citations 53 64
Warnings 18 34
Police Reports 10 33
Response Time Average 5.11 5.95