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.
March 29
8:36 a.m. Dog at large. Iris Lane E. A yellow lab was found. Police captured the lab and returned it to the rightful owner, a 40-year-old male. The owner was warned.
9:28 p.m. Open door. 6th Avenue SE. A nearby resident told police a house, which was known to have been empty for approximately one year, had the front door open. Police observed nothing amiss at the residence. An attempt was made to contact the realtor.
March 30
1:34 a.m. Ordinance violation. W. Minnesota Street. A garbage can was still out on the curb, four days after garbage pickup. A red warning tag was hung on the front door of the residence.
9:03 a.m. School-bus stop-arm violation. 9th Avenue SE/Able Street E. A school-bus driver reported a vehicle, later found to be driven by a 43-year-old female, drove past the bus while the stop arm and eight-way lights were activated.
March 31
7:04 a.m. Deceased person. 5th Avenue NW. Police arrived to an 83-year-old female on the floor, deceased. An area funeral home was called.
6:20 p.m. Traffic stop. CR 75/Old Hwy 52. A 19-year-old female from Sauk Rapids was stopped for out-of-date tabs. The officer found her auto insurance was expired as well. The officer issued a warning ticket, instructing the female to present proof of tab renewal and updated insurance to the officer within two weeks.
April 1
9:31 a.m. Welfare check. Minnesota Street W. A local home-health-care service contacted police after a 65-year-old female hadn’t been seen in some time. Police were able to make contact, and the woman was fine.
8:31 p.m. Found property. Able Court E. A resident asked police to pick up a helicopter-like “drone” which was found in their backyard. An officer placed the “drone” into found property at the police department.
April 2
7:09 p.m. Theft. Ash Street E. A male reported his bike, a red-and-silver mountain bike, was stolen during the weekend. The bike was valued at $100.
10:03 p.m. Hazard. 4th Avenue NW/Ash Street W. Someone reported a branch in the street. An officer located the small branch and moved it to the curb.
April 3
4:25 p.m. Medical. College Avenue S. A female fell down the stairs, breaking her ankle. St. Joseph Fire Department and Gold Cross arrived soon after the police.
6:10 p.m. Found property. Birch Street W. A local resident found two cell phones, two blankets and a purse in Centennial Park. Police attempted to use the cell phones to contact the owners, but were unsuccessful. The items were placed in found property.
April 4
1:38 p.m. Found property. College Avenue N. A cell phone was turned into the police, and the officer was able to contact the owner to return the phone.
April 12
8:01 p.m. Structure fire. CR 3 in St. Wendel Township. A homeowner reported a fire in the attached garage of a residence. Sheriff’s deputies, as well as firefighters from St. Joseph, Avon and St. Stephen responded to the garage which was engulfed in flames. The firefighters cleared the residence around 11 p.m.
April 13
6:35 a.m. Structure fire. CR 3 in St. Wendel Township. Deputies and firefighters responded again to the residence from the April 12 fire, to reports of the home itself being on fire.