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.
Nov. 29
7:04 p.m. Stalled vehicle. CR 75/CR 134. A vehicle lost acceleration and came to a stop. An officer arrived, and shortly after, a tow arrived as well.
10:23 p.m. Traffic stop. College Avenue N. Officers received a complaint of a driver all over the road. Officers located the vehicle and it pulled into a gas station parking lot. The driver was a minor, had just gotten their driving permit and it was their first time driving at night.
Nov. 30
1:26 a.m. Open container. Minnesota Street W/2nd Avenue NW. An officer observed a 22-year-old male walking and hiding something inside his shirt. After being confronted, the male pulled a plastic beer pitcher out from under his shirt, which he stated he took from a local bar. The container held what resembled and smelled like beer, and the male dumped it out on the sidewalk. A sample of the pitcher and its contents were taken as evidence, and a citation was issued.
9:59 a.m. Parking violation. Dale Street E. A 46-year-old male contacted police. He was upset about a parking violation his son’s vehicle received while parked in front of his house. Police advised the man the citation was in following with a city ordinance, the ordinance is posted at all entrances to the city, and the man should take the matter up with the city council.
9:47 p.m. Alarm. CR 75 W. Police received a burglar alarm at a local business. After arriving on scene, the officer found the exterior doors and interior secure. A key-holder was contacted.
Dec. 1
6:51 a.m. Found property. 18th Avenue SE. A resident found an entire plastic nativity set, about 2- to 3-feet tall, in their front yard, along with a note. City maintenance was called to help remove the nativity.
8:01 a.m. Motorist assist. CR 75/CR 2. While on patrol, an officer observed a vehicle stalled in the eastbound CR 75 turn-lane onto College Avenue. The driver, a 32-year-old male from Melrose, had help already on the way. The officer helped the male push his car out of the way of traffic.
Dec. 2
10:27 a.m. Ordinance violation. Ash Street E. An officer issued a citation to a homeowner for failure to clear snow off the sidewalk. The owner was home, and said they had hired a person to shovel but they hadn’t shown up yet. The homeowner also owned the property next door. The homeowner was warned for the second property.
10:37 a.m. Theft. Northland Drive. A person arrived at a local gas station, and noticed their rear license plate was missing. The person believes the plate might have been stolen at their work in the Twin Cities. The plates were entered in the police database as stolen.
10:47 a.m. Ordinance violation. Ash Street E. An officer issued a citation to a homeowner for failure to clear snow off the sidewalk. No one was home at the time.
11:43 a.m. Ordinance violation. Minnesota Street E. An officer issued a citation to a homeowner for failure to clear snow off the sidewalk. The house is for sale by a realtor. The realtor was contacted during the last snowstorm, and they were supposed to get ahold of the owner or take care of it themselves.
Dec. 3
7:40 p.m. Barking dog. Birch Street W. Complainant called police to report a dog barking incessantly on an ongoing basis. An officer arrived, and the dog barked non-stop for approximately 20 minutes while the officer tried to locate the owner. When the owner, a 32-year-old male, arrived at the residence, they were informed of the ongoing issue and issued a warning.
Dec. 4
12:45 a.m. Open door. CR 75. While doing door checks in the area, an officer noted one business’s door was not completely dead-bolted. The officer entered and secured the interior, then locked the door fully.