If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the St. Joseph Police Department at 320-363-8250 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320-255-1301 or access its tip site at tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a crime.
March 31
7:11 p.m. Vehicle in ditch. CR 75/CR 3. Observed a vehicle in the ditch. Private individual pulled out the car while officer parked my car behind with lights.
April 1
11:03 a.m. Hazard. Second Ave. NW/Minnesota Street. While on routine patrol, officer located a car parked in the middle of the alley blocking traffic between Second and Third Avenues NW near Memorial Park. Vehicle was a hazard. City plows were unable to go around the car. Officer made contact with the vehicle owner. She said she got stuck early this morning and called for a pull out and was told it would be at least five hours until they got to her. She said she had help on the way to pull her out. Officer advised her she needed to start working on it and it needed to be removed ASAP or it would be towed. She started to dig herself out while waiting for her help to arrive. Officer issued a parking ticket for prohibited parking. Car has now been freed. City maintenance advised the alley is open.
April 3
4:26 p.m. Crash. CR 75/CR 133. Officer was dispatched to a crash at the intersection of CR 75 and CR 133. Officer arrived on scene and spoke with both drivers. Both parties stated first vehicle was rear ended by second vehicle. Officer collected driver, vehicle and insurance information then took photos, provided a drivers exchange and created a Minnesota crash report.
April 6
529 a.m. Speeding. Minnesota Street W./Sixth Avenue NW. Officer conducted a stationary radar when a vehicle was traveling eastbound at what appeared to be a higher rate of speed than the posted speed limit. Radar posted a reading of 45 mph in a 30-mph zone. The vehicle then slowed down as it got closer. Officer then conducted a traffic stop. Officer met the driver who stated he thought it was not a 30-mph zone until further down the road. The driver stated he thought he was traveling at approximately 35 mph. Officer issued the driver a citation for speeding 45 mph in a 300mph zone, explained the citation to him and he had no questions. The radar was tested at the beginning of shift and found to be working properly.
11:45 a.m. Background check. Callaway Street E. Permit to purchase a firearm.
April 8
9:51 a.m. Violation of ordinance. Minnesota Street W. While on patrol, officer observed the residence to be in violation of the city of St. Joseph refuse ordinance. There were beer cans, and assorted cans and garbage scattered throughout the yard from an obvious party from the night before. Officer made contact with a renter, who started cleaning immediately and advised he would clean it up. Renter was advised further incidents could end up with citations.
April 10
1:46 p.m. Hands-free violation. 12th Avenue SE/CR 75. While on routine patrol, officer was traveling east on CR 75. Officer observed a driver in the next lane who was holding her cell phone in her right hand up to her ear and talking. Officer stopped the vehicle and advised her of the reason for the stop. She said she was on her phone and was taking a private call from her boss. She was aware she was not supposed to have her phone in her hand and that Minnesota is a hands-free state. Officer issued a citation for cell phone use while driving, explained citation and released driver.
April 11
12:04 p.m. Funeral escort. Minnesota Street W. Officer was asked to provide a funeral escort request by Daniels Funeral Home. Once ready, officer blocked off the intersection at College Avenue and Minnesota Street for the escort to take a right turn. Officer followed behind until the escort was in the cemetery.
April 14
11:04 a.m. Marijuana smell. First Avenue NW. Officer was dispatched to a suspicious smell from the apartment below St. Joseph Health and Wellness Center. Building owner reported someone in the apartment is currently smoking marijuana. Owner reported the tenant is not on scene but whoever is there had been smoking marijuana. Officer could smell the odor of marijuana outside the apartment and attempted contact. No answer. Officer told owner of findings. She said a male party has been coming around the past few weeks but did not know who it was. Owner provided officer with the tenant information then requested officer document the incident.
April 18
10:15 a.m. Fire. Ridgewood Road. Officers and St. Joseph Fire Department were dispatched to a brush fire at the St. Joseph compost site. SJFD arrived on scene and put out the fire.
April 22
10:57 p.m. Open container. College Avenue N./Minnesota Street. While on patrol northbound on College Avenue by Minnesota Street, officer saw a man taking a drink out of a can and then leave it behind a telephone pole on Minnesota Street. Officer followed the man into the LaPlayette, brought him back out and identified him. Both walked over and picked up the 12 oz open can of twisted tea. Man said he did not know of the city ordinance. Officer issued a citation for open container and explained.
April 23
4:40 p.m. Illegal tint. CR 75/CR 134. Officer was eastbound when officer observed vehicle to appear to have illegal tint. Officer could not make out a driver or see through the back window. Officer activated emergency lights; vehicle was stopped on the left side of the road. Officer told driver the reason for stop. It looked like there was tint on the windshield but driver stated there wasn’t. There was tint on surrounding windows. Officer told driver it looked like there was tint on the windshield. He stated there wasn’t. He did not want to roll his window up to check with meter; he admitted that the tint was 10 percent. Officer issued citation for tint and explained citation. It should be noted driver stated “it must be your time to meet your quota.”
