If any readers have tips concerning crimes, they should 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 www.tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for crimes.
July 28
9:35 p.m. 911 hangup. Chapel Lane. A police officer was dispatched for a 911 hangup call. The dispatcher was able to re-contact the caller, who stated it was an accident.
July 29
9:54 p.m. Gas drive off. College Avenue N. A 56-year-old male left a local gas station without paying for $60 in fuel. Staff members said the man had come into the building at one point. Police spoke with the driver, who stated he was on his way back to pay the bill. He said he had gone inside to purchase a pop, but must have forgotten to pay for the fuel.
July 30
12:16 a.m. Curfew violation. Dale Street E. Three vehicles were observed parked in Klinefelter Park. One vehicle was occupied by four people; one male and three females. One of the females was only 15 years old. The party told officers they had been swimming, went to McDonald’s, and met up at the park afterwards. The mother of the 15-year-old was contacted and advised of the curfew violation. The mother was OK with her daughter riding home with one of the officers.
8:08 a.m. Dog loose. Able Street E. A German Shepherd was reported running loose, with a collar in the area of the old Kennedy school. An officer located the dog, and recognized it as belonging to a local resident. The officer contacted that resident, who sent their daughter to catch the dog. The dog was returned home.
10:48 p.m. Dumpster fire. 10th Avenue SE. An officer arrived on the scene of a dumpster fire. The fire was contained to the dumpster, but a section of a vinyl fence about 2 feet away had melted. Another section of the fence had some discoloration. The fire department arrived shortly after the police and put out the flames. A woman said her children had set off some legal fireworks earlier that night. At about 10:30 p.m., after the fireworks had cooled off, she bagged up the fireworks and put them in the dumpster.
July 31
2:25 p.m. Gunshots. 3rd Avenue NE. A caller reported gunshots in the area. The officer spoke with an 18-year-old neighbor, who said he was shooting varmints with a CO2 BB gun. The officer advised him not to shoot the gun in town anymore.