If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sartell Police Department at 320-251-8186 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320-255-1301, or access its tip site at tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a crime.
Aug. 2
7:33 a.m. Hazard. 18th Street N. While an officer was on routine patrol, he was flagged down by a motorist and informed there was a box of screws that had spilled on the roadway near Hwy 15 and 18th Street N. The officer arrived on scene and observed screws and nails mainly on the northbound lane of traffic. The officer had dispatch contact the Highway Department and requested Sauk Rapids City Maintenance Department to assist with clean-up. The officer went to Casey’s gas station and borrowed their broom. While sweeping the intersection Sauk Rapids Maintenance and the Highway Department arrived and took over clean-up.
Aug. 3
4:49 p.m. Hazard. Sartell Street W. An officer was dispatched to a cable line hanging low in the roadway covering both lanes. The officer arrived in the area and located the downed Spectrum cable obstructing both lanes of traffic. Spectrum arrived on scene a short time later and resecured the cable.
Aug. 4
11:51 p.m. Assist agency. 40th Street N. A Sartell officer heard a Stearns County Deputy make a traffic stop with three occupants. The deputy asked the occupants to step out of the car, the Sartell officer identified one of the passengers, but noted it took three attempts to get their date of birth correct. The officer ran the name in the system, which came back but raised a few red flags. One of the passengers informed officers of the correct name of the female occupant. The woman was placed under arrest for false information to a police officer. A Stearns County Deputy transported the woman to the Stearns County Jail.
Aug. 5
12:09 a.m. Gunshot. Oriole Avenue. Officers were dispatched to an accidental discharge of a firearm in a home. Officers arrived on scene to find a male party outside. He explained while cleaning his gun and practicing dry fires, a live round was discharged from the gun. The bullet exited his home and entered the neighbor’s home. The male party had already checked on the family next door. The officers also made contact with the neighbor and no injuries were reported. The male’s family was also checked on and no injuries were reported. The firearm, spent casing, live round in the chamber and magazine were seized for evidence. The man had a valid permit to carry through Stearns County.
Aug. 6
2:57 a.m. Abandoned vehicle. Seventh Avenue N. An officer was dispatched to a vehicle that was unoccupied, not running and blocking a traffic lane. The officer requested dispatch to send the next available tow. The officer was able to get ahold of the registered owner, who stated his son had the vehicle, but he would be on his way. A short time later, the son arrived and told the officer the vehicle had stalled on him. The vehicle was towed from the roadway.
Aug. 7
6:09 p.m. Verbal dispute. Victory Avenue. Officers were requested because the caller could hear yelling and doors slamming. Officers arrived on scene and spoke to a woman who told officers she was arguing with her husband about a picture frame. She told officers no threats, or physical harm was mentioned. The husband’s story matched his wife’s story. The officers cleared.
Aug. 8
3:07 a.m. Assist agency. Mayhew Lake Road. Dispatch requested a Sartell officer assist the Sauk Rapids Police Department with a motorcycle pursuit. As the officer was enroute to the call, he heard the man had ditched the motorcycle and had fled on foot into a cornfield. The officer responded and assisted with perimeter. The man was located by using a drone. Officers entered the cornfield and arrested the man. The Sartell officer cleared and returned to Sartell.
