If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the St. Joseph Police Department at 363-8250 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 255-1301 or access its tip site at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a crime.
Jan. 13
2:37 a.m. Domestic. 1002 Baker St. E. Officers were dispatched to a fight. The complainant told officers it was a “play fight” between friends until things escalated into pushing, shoving and yelling. When officers arrived, both parties were separated and both men were intoxicated. Neither would talk about what happened other than say they did not want charges pressed. Parties went to their own apartments.
9:06 a.m. Hit and run. 134 Ninth Ave. SE. An officer received a call about a possible hit and run. The officer found a damaged truck and noted tracks from another vehicle which appeared to be off the road across the yard. Parts from the striking vehicle were found on the ground. The officer spoke with the father of the owner’s truck who stated his son was gone for the weekend. Photos were taken of the truck. While checking the area, the officer spotted a vehicle that appeared to match the striking vehicle parked outside a residence. The officer spoke with the registered owner of the vehicle who said he was out looking for his dog at approximately 3 a.m. when he lost control on the curve and slid into another truck. The suspect admitted to “panicking” and leaving the scene to go home.
12:31 p.m. Speed. 1350 Minnesota St. W. An officer spotted a vehicle traveling west on Minnesota Street going faster than the posted speed limit of 30 mph. The officer activated his radar and captured a speed of 52 mph. The driver was identified by her driver’s license but could not provide proof of insurance and could not contact her parents who were the owners of the vehicle. The driver knew why she was pulled over. A citation was issued for speeding and the owner was ordered to provide proof of insurance.
10:13 p.m. Hit and run. 1500 Elm St. E. An officer was dispatched to a hit and run in the parking lot of Coborn’s liquor. The officer spoke with the complainant who advised sometime between 2-11 p.m. that day his car was struck in the parking lot damaging the right read end. The officer also noticed what appeared to be a broken headlight cover on the ground underneath the car. Photos were taken and the broken light cover recovered. The complainant was unsure if the parking lot cameras would have the incident recorded but was going to check with his manager. No suspects at this time.
Jan. 14
5:35 p.m. Suspicious activity. 118 Jasmine Lane. An officer was dispatched to suspicious activity near the above address. A complainant stated she heard two booms and saw some flashing outside and believed it to be coming from across the road. The officer responded and spoke with the suspect who was in his driveway but said he hadn’t heard anything but was working on a snowmobile inside of his garage and it had been backfiring. The officer informed him of the complaint and then called the complainant to explain. She informed the officer when the suspect is intoxicated he normally shoots off fireworks which she believed him to be doing. The officer stated he would continue to patrol the area.
Jan. 15
9:49 p.m. Hill Street W. and College Avenue S. An officer noticed a vehicle had struck the stop sign at the intersection. Based on the tracks, it appeared the vehicle was traveling south on College Avenue S. and slid into the sign. No other officers had knowledge of the incident and crash was reported. The scene was photographed and city maintenance called.