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.
Aug. 20
01:13 a.m. Matter of information. Ash Street E. A bystander witnessed a male carrying a U.S. flag on a pole, walking with a female. Police thought it appeared as if the flag might have been removed from one of the city lampposts located in front of LaPlayette. Police also observed a flagpole bent on a city lamppost nearby.
Aug. 21
3:42 p.m. Shoplifting. Elm Street E. A person was caught taking medicine from a store without paying. The person stated they didn’t have money or insurance, and was getting sick and needed something. A child was with, but did not help or take anything. Both were removed from the store, and released with a citation.
Aug. 22
12:28 a.m. Traffic stop. Elm Street E./CR 132. An officer ran a license-plate check on a vehicle, and found the plate was suspended/impounded for an alcohol violation. The driver was a sibling of the owner. The owner had received a DWI in July of this year and was supposed to have surrendered the license plates. The office removed the license plates from the vehicle, and the car was towed away. The driver was issued a citation.
8:49 a.m. Burning prohibited materials. Old Highway 52. An officer spotted a couch on fire in a backyard. The officer on scene observed a 21-year-old male standing next to the fire. The man denied starting the fire, but stated he was attending it. He lived at the address. The officer ordered the man to put out the fire, and he was issued a citation.
Aug. 23
12:45 a.m. Bar check. Minnesota Street W. Officers checked the bars for violations. None were found.
09:33 a.m. No pay. College Avenue N. A customer drove away from a gas pump without paying for $16.73 of fuel. An officer went to the customer’s house. The customer stated he was at the gas station and used a credit card at the pump, but didn’t get a receipt. The customer was advised to call the gas station and take care of the issue.
Aug. 24
6:35 p.m. Intoxicated person. 1st Avenue NW. Police were called after a 21-year-old male was found sitting on a porch, intoxicated and confused. The caller said the man was very polite. The man was identified as a student and returned to SJU. His roommate was sober and agreed to take responsibility for the man.
4:16 p.m. Found property. College Avenue N. Someone turned in a brown, bi-fold wallet with a driver’s license, and miscellaneous cards in it. The wallet was placed in an evidence bin.
Aug. 25
10:02 a.m. Damage to property. Old Highway 52. A 33-year-old female reported a sandbag was found on the hood of her vehicle. An officer took photos, but didn’t observe damage. The female said she would call back after the vehicle was washed if there was any damage.
10:32 a.m. Traffic stop. Minnesota Street E./2nd Avenue SE. An officer observed a vehicle driving east on Minnesota Street W, and then continue to drive through the four-way stop without slowing down. The vehicle was stopped, and the driver identified as a 28-year-old female. She was issued a citation.
9:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicle. 19th Avenue NE/Elm Street E. An officer observed a parked vehicle with no lights on, that was occupied by two people; a male and female, both 18-year-olds. They were both fully clothed and in the front of the car. The man stated they were just kissing. The woman also said they were just kissing, and that she was there of her own choice, and that there was no problem. The two then left the area.
Aug. 26
6:02 a.m. Speeding. 290th Street/CR 121. A driver was traveling at 61 mph in a 40-mph zone. An officer observed this with radar, stopped the driver and issued a citation.
6:26 p.m. Unwanted person. College Avenue N. Several complaints were received about solicitors walking door-to-door. A female resident said the solicitors came to her home trying to sell cleaners, and would not take ‘no’ for an answer. A male business owner said he found a solicitor with cleaners and paperwork spread on a customer’s car. The same solicitor also demonstrated one of his cleaning products on a customer’s truck who wasn’t present. The team leader of the solicitors was located. Their solicitors permit was revoked due to the complaints.