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.
Feb. 8
12:19 a.m. Bar check. Minnesota Street W. Officers checked the downtown bars for violations, but found none.
1:17 a.m. DWI. 320th Street/CR 2. An officer noted a vehicle cross over the fog line and almost jump the curb, then weave within their lane multiple times. The officer stopped the vehicle and detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the driver, a 27-year-old female from Cold Spring. The driver failed field sobriety tests, and had a preliminary breath test of .124. The driver was placed under arrest, and transported to jail.
Feb. 10
12:44 a.m. Traffic stop. College Avenue N./Ash Street W. An officer observed a vehicle traveling at 61 mph in a 45-mph zone. The driver, a 21-year-old female from Lilydale, was stopped, and admitted her speed. She was issued a citation.
3:41 p.m. Dog complaint. 12th Avenue SE. A stray dog was found, and police took the animal to the Sauk Rapids animal impound.
10:17 p.m. Carbon dioxide alarm. Eastern Court. The homeowner was feeling fine, but the fire department found low levels of CO2 near the furnace and water heater. The homeowner was advised to stay outside of the home until the appliances could be checked.
Feb. 12
6:46 p.m. Apprehension and detention order. College Avenue N. A parole officer asked SJPD to apprehend an individual. Police called the individual, a 63-year-old male, and the male met police at the station. Police advised the man he was under arrest, and was transported to the Stearns County Jail.
Feb. 13
3:59 a.m. Medical. Iverson Street W. A person was having difficulty breathing and chest pain. An officer arrived and administered oxygen until Gold Cross arrived and transported the person to the St. Cloud Hospital.
10:04 p.m. Tamper with vehicle. Cedar Street E. Police received a report of kids going through a vehicle. Another driver reportedly scared the kids off. Police searched and were unable to locate anyone near the parking lot. The owner of the tampered vehicle reported nothing was taken, and police advised the person to lock the vehicle and remove the keys from the ignition in the future.
Feb. 14
3:44 a.m. Alarm. Elm Street E. A local business’ alarm went off, and when police arrived they found a door to the building unlocked. Police checked the inside of the building, and everything appeared fine. A keyholder was called to lock the door.
Feb. 24
The St. Joseph Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment fire around 6:30 p.m. The incident happened at Hollow Park Apartments, 332 Cypress Drive, St. Joseph. The fire started and was contained to a bottom-floor apartment where cooking grease caught on fire in a kitchen. A resident was able to extinguish most of the fire with two fire extinguishers until the fire department arrived on scene and used one of their fire extinguishers to extinguish the rest of the fire. The fire department cleared the scene at approximately 8:30 p.m. There were no reported injuries. One resident was displaced from the apartment because of the fire. No damage estimates were available. The St. Joseph Fire Department was assisted by the St. Joseph Police Department, the Stearns County Sheriff’s office, Gold Cross ambulance, the Red Cross and the College of St. Benedict, who provided a bus for residents to stay warm until they could return to their apartments.