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.
May 24
7:21 p.m. Information. Minnesota Street E. Complainant called because tenants in apartment were calling her son names. Officer spoke to tenant in apartment and advised her to stop calling the neighbor names. Ongoing situation with these parties not getting along. Advised both parties this is a landlord/tenant issue that will need to get resolved with the landlord. Neither party happy with the situation. They were advised to tough it out.
May 25
11:15 p.m. Suspicious activity. 12th Avenue SE/Dale Street E. Report of five or six kids messing around at the intersection and in the yard at the intersection. Officers patrolled the area and surrounding area and were unable to locate.
May 26
9:10 a.m. Vandalism. Northland Drive. Complainant had her vehicle vandalized overnight. She stated she parked her vehicle in the parking lot at 5 p.m and came out this morning to find it was splattered with black paint on three sides. She has no idea who would have done this and no other vehicles in the lot appeared to be vandalized. She will get an estimate of damage to police.
5:31 p.m. Assist person. Elm Street E. Complainant broke her phone and lost directions on how to get back to Willmar. Had language barrier and was somewhat distraught. Officer gave her directions to Hwy. 23 in Cold Spring to which she stated she knew how to get home from there. She followed the officer to CR 2, where he then pointed her in the direction to Cold Spring. Officer advised Cold Spring officer to watch for her vehicle in case she got lost again.
May 29
12:51 p.m. School-bus arm. Minnesota Street E. Bus driver reported a vehicle went through the red flashing bus lights. Gave the license plate number and officer made contact with the driver to get a statement.
7:34 p.m. Traffic stop. CR 75/CR 3. Officer observed driver and front-seat passenger not wearing their seat belts. Stopped vehicle and identified driver and passenger. Both admitted to not wearing their seat belts and putting them on after they drove by the officer. Driver also did not have proof of insurance in vehicle. Citations issued for no seat belt and no proof of insurance.
May 30
6:11 p.m. Traffic stop. Minnesota Street E/First Avenue SE. Officer observed driver with her cell phone up on the steering wheel and appeared to be texting while driving. Stopped vehicle and identified driver by her Minnesota driver’s license. She admitted she was texting her babysitter. Citation issued for texting.
May 31
3:52 a.m. Harassing phone calls. Able Street E. Complainant stated they had received several phone calls from the same number. No conversation when they answered. When asked, he said it was possible it was a “butt dial.” Officer advised he would call the number, but in the mean time advised complainant to take his phone off the hook or unplug it so he could get some sleep.
June 14
8:55 9.m. House fire. 295th Street. Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Joseph Police Department responded to a house fire. When officers arrived they found the attached garage to the house was on fire and spreading to the rest of the residence. Everyone got out of the house safely and no one was injured. It’s believed the garage was struck by lightning and may have started the fire. The fire was put out by the St. Joseph and Waite Park fire departments.