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.
July 12
10:09 a.m. Traffic stop. 2nd Street S. While stopped at 10th Avenue S. and 2nd Street S. in Waite Park, officer observed driver with no seat belt. Officer stopped driver and issued citation. Driver was verbal stating officer had no authority to stop him because he said officer was outside his jurisdiction and should not be able to write him a citation. Driver was unsatisfied and very upset.
10:23 a.m. Intoxicated person. CR 133. Female caller said 64-year-old St. Joseph male had just left his residence drunk and gave a list of possible locations. Officer checked all locations with no contact. Later another officer drove by residence and saw male there.
8:10 p.m. Animal welfare. 7th Avenue SE. Dog in house for sale appeared in good condition and had dog tags attached to collar. Dog appeared in good spirits. House appeared in good condition with no dog feces showing from exterior window. House still had tools and furniture to move out. Attempted to find number through dispatch and unable. Left message with realtor in attempt to locate homeowners’ number.
July 14
2:16 a.m. Unwanted individual. Elm Street E. Officers arrived and observed three males standing by two vehicles in a parking lot talking. They stated they were inside the store, then came out and got carried away talking. They were told the business employees were concerned they were hanging out in the lot. All parties left. Advised business management they had left.
5:13 a.m. Traffic stop. CR 75/8th Avenue NE. Observed a vehicle traveling 57 mph in a 45-mph zone. Identified 48-year-old male as registered owner of vehicle. Driver said insurance had lapsed on vehicle about a month ago. Issued citation for no insurance. Towed vehicle and gave driver ride to his work in St. Cloud.
July 15
10:21 a.m. Suspicious vehicle. 2nd Avenue SW. It was reported a male was sleeping in his front seat. Officer spoke with male, who stated he was waiting to pick a person up, and was tired from driving. There were no problems.
6:54 p.m. Property damage. College Avenue N/Date Street W. Officer came upon a single motorcycle crash. Driver stated hydraulic wheel stands didn’t retract when he began moving, causing the bike to wobble, jump the curb, and strike the Lake Wobegon Welcome Center and parking sign. No injuries reported. The sign post was damaged.
July 16
10:54 a.m. Theft. Ridgewood Court. A male had his boat parked at a local business. While there, two amps, a rope, a speaker and a tackle box were taken. Value was estimated at $700.
July 17
8:13 a.m. Warrant. 2nd Avenue NE. An individual was wanted for a felony. Police found and transported the individual to Stearns County jail for booking.
July 18
6:26 p.m. DWI. Baker Street/17th Avenue. An officer observed a vehicle roll through a stop sign. The registered owner/driver had a warrant out for his arrest. Officer also detected the odor of alcohol from the suspect. The suspect stated he had two beers earlier. The suspect then failed the standard field sobriety test. The suspect was arrested for DWI and warrant.
July 19
1:16 a.m. Open container. Minnesota Street W. Officer observed two males and one female walking in the alley behind Sal’s Bar. One male was carrying a glass, while the other was carrying a white plastic cup with “Miller Lite” written on it. Both males were issued a citation for having open containers.
July 20
9:24 p.m. Suspicious vehicle. Able Street E. Caller complained of a suspicious vehicle in front of their home. Officer observed a red passenger car leaving the area upon arrival. Caller said the vehicle left shortly after they turned on the yard lights, but just before the police arrived. Nothing was stolen or damaged. Caller was asked to contact police if the vehicle was seen again. An extra patrol was assigned to the area.
July 21
8:59 a.m. Unwanted person. Ash Street E. Officer arrived, and was met by the caller. A man was at the residence who had lived there off and on for years. Caller and man had an agreement the man will not drink when he is there. The man admitted to drinking. Caller agreed to give the man a ride to his parents’ residence for the night.
July 22
3:28 p.m. Gas drive off. College Avenue N. A vehicle left a local gas station without paying for $48.09 in fuel. Police contacted the driver later, and he had already called the gas station to take care of the bill. The manager also stated the situation was taken care of.
July 23
4:26 p.m. ID theft. Fir Street E. Caller discovered someone had attempted to use his name to draw unemployment insurance. Unemployment insurance office contacted and stopped the transaction. No funds were taken. The caller was advised to watch their accounts and notify the police if something comes up.
July 24
8:59 a.m. Dog barking. 6th Avenue SE. A dog was found in his kennel in the backyard. The dog was whining and barking. No one was home. A red warning notice was placed on the residence’s front door.
8:37 p.m. Driving complaint. CR 75. Caller said a vehicle was heading west, swerving in and out of traffic and traveling at a high rate of speed. The caller also said the female driver “flipped him off” when she passed him. Officers attempted to locate the vehicle without success, and advised Avon police of the complaint.
July 25
9:56 a.m. Suspicious activity. Cypress Drive. A homeowner reported around 5 a.m., one of her window screens came off. Her window had been open, and strong storms and winds were in the area about that time. The officer advised it was most likely the strong winds blew the screen off.
9:47 a.m. Gas drive off. Birch Street W. An employee at a gas station helped a driver fuel their car. When the driver finished, she left without paying. The employee wasn’t sure if she tried to use a credit card first. The police later contacted the driver, who had already called the gas station and paid the balance. The driver stated she had a lot of problems with the pump, and had swiped her credit card before pumping the fuel.
4:46 p.m. Alarm. Pearl Drive. The fire department was called to assist the county with an alarm. A sheriff’s deputy was also on the scene. The building was secure.
