If you have a tip concerning a crime, 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 tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a crime.
Jan. 23
6:28 p.m. Crash. I-94 and Hwy 23. Officer was dispatched for a crash that occurred in the eastbound lanes of Highway 23 on the overpass of I-94. Upon arrival, officer observed a vehicle was facing westbound in the eastbound lanes. The driver of the vehicle was identified. Driver said he was driving in the left lane when he felt his tire start pulling to the left. Driver said he struck the left guard rail, lost control, hit another vehicle and then struck the right barrier. The driver of the second vehicle stated she was in the right lane next to first driver when he lost control; she said first car had tapped hers. There was minimal damage to second vehicle. First vehicle had severe damage. Officers collected driver and insurance info from both drivers. A witness identified said he was behind both vehicles and saw first driver lose control of his vehicle, hitting the left barrier, then hitting second vehicle before hitting the right barrier. First vehicle was towed due to damage.
Jan. 23
9:47 p.m. Suspicious activity. Baker Street E. Officers were dispatched for suspicious activity. Complainant said there were two males outside of her apartment for 30 minutes. The two males then got out of their vehicle with an Amazon package. Two officers arrived on the scene and located the two males who said they were working on the vehicle. One of the males had a warrant, but the jail would not take. Officers informed male of this and told him to take care of it. One of the officers called complainant back and informed her that the two individuals were fixing the car. She stated they were in her parking spot. One of the officers advised her that it was an issue to bring up with management. Officer advised her the two individuals were cooperative with them and if she was pleasant with them, they would probably move the vehicle.
Another officer was dispatched to same earlier location for a dispute about a parked vehicle. Officer arrived on the scene and observed the vehicle was moved, but the original complainant was yelling in the first male’s face. Officer separated the two parties. One officer stayed outside with both men, while another one went inside complainant’s residence to speak with her. She stated the two males were being aggressive and argumentative about the parked vehicle. Complainant’s boyfriend said they called her names so he stood up for her. No direct threats were said. Officer suggested they separate to end the issue. Complainant told officer she was going to stay inside the rest of the night. The two males said they were going to stop working on the vehicle for the night.
Jan. 25
7:54 p.m. Dog at large. 17th Avenue SE. An officer was dispatched to a dog at large near. The officer responded to the area and located a red lab with a red collar on. It would not come to the officer. Officer suspected dog belonged to a nearby resident. When the officer went to that address, he met a female who described the missing dog. Officer told her where the dog was, she came outside and was able to contain the dog back in the house. The officer advised her of the city ordinance and she advised she rents at this house and thinks the dog gets scared and runs. Officer said he would send an email to administration based on a possible rental violation.
Jan. 26
6:02 a.m. Semi on the side of the road. CR 75 and CR 2. While on patrol, an officer noticed a semi on the side of CR 75 with its hazards on. The officer checked on the driver and his semi’s fuel was gelling. Driver told officer he had help on the way. Officer could not get semi tractor’s plates to come back. The truck was owned by JB Hunt.
Jan. 28
8:20 a.m. Vehicle in ditch. Minnesota Street E and 17th Avenue SE. An officer was dispatched to a vehicle in the ditch. The officer arrived on the scene and the vehicle was unoccupied. The vehicle was registered to the owners of the Rodeway Inn. The officer responded to the Rodeway Inn and was advised driver was OK and Beeline was coming to pull the vehicle out.
Jan. 30
1:33 a.m. Verbal. College Avenue S. Two officers were dispatched to a verbal at an apartment complex. When they arrived on the scene, they could hear yelling between a male and female in the apartment. One officer looked through the window and saw cuts on the male’s arm and blood dripping down from his arms. The female came and opened the complex door, but the male locked the unit door. He would not open it. An officer attempted to kick in the door a few times until he finally opened it. He went back to the bathroom. One officer switched to their taser while male was not complying. He finally complied and was placed in handcuffs. He was upset his girlfriend was breaking up with him and was concerned she was going to take his items. Mayo arrived on the scene and transported male to the St. Cloud Hospital. One officer transported the male while the other one stayed on the scene and arrested female for a DWI.
Feb. 4
1:15 a.m. Assist. College Avenue S and Callaway Street E. The caller stated he was outside in the cold without any coat and was waiting for their ride. Officer responded to the area, was unable to locate the individual, called the complainant, who said he’d already received a ride. They did not need any assistance from officer.
2:09 a.m. Crash. CR 75 and CR 133. An officer was dispatched to a crash at CR 75 and CR 133. The officer spoke with both drivers. Both were in the westbound lane of CR 75 waiting at the stoplight. First driver rolled into the rear end of second driver’s vehicle. The officer took pictures, gathered information, oversaw drivers’ exchange of information and completed crash report.
Feb. 5
9:43 p.m. Unwanted. Minnesota Street W. Two officers responded to an unwanted at the Middy. A white male not wearing a shirt was highly intoxicated and was told to leave but would not. Officers arrived on the scene and found the male in the back entry way with the bouncer. Bouncer said he was in the Middy playing pool. Suspect would go into the lady’s room. When asked to leave, he became uncooperative and would not. Officers escorted suspect out of the Middy and placed him in handcuffs because he was being resistant. Suspect was placed in the back of a squad car and waited for Mayo. Suspect could not answer simple questions and could not walk on his own. Ambulance transported him to the St. Cloud Hospital.
Feb. 6
10:23 a.m. Harassment. First Avenue NW and Ash Street. An officer was dispatched to a harassment complaint. Complainant said he was playing Pokemon Go, a location-based game, and was in a battle that occurred by Westwood Apartments in St. Cloud. Complainant said after the battle was complete, he left and a vehicle followed him for a long time. Complainant said this has occurred in the past and previously the person has called him a bad person for winning and has done this to other people. Today nothing occurred other than following him. Complainant said he made numerous turns and drove through alleys, so he knows he was followed. The officer advised him nothing criminal occurred and to seek a harassment restraining order if he feels that is necessary.
Feb. 7
6:27 p.m. Medical. Elm Street W. Officers were dispatched to a medical. They arrived on the scene and spoke with complainant who had fallen and was laying on his stomach. He had a scrape on his leg from the fall. Ambulance, rescue and an officer assisted lifting him onto the bed. He refused transport.