If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the St. Joseph Police Department at 320-363-8250 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-255-1301 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. 2
3:57 p.m. Vehicle crash. 20th Avenue SE. Officer dispatched to a crash that occurred in the parking lot. Offices arrived on scene and spoke with both parties. It was determined the crash had occurred in the parking lot. The officer assisted in exchanging the driver and insurance information between the two parties.
10:40 a.m. First Avenue NE. An officer was dispatched to an info call in regards to a man smoking in the Wobegon trail restroom. The officer spoke with the man who was in the restroom. A strong odor of marijuana was in the restroom. The man had bloodshot eyes. He stated he only smoked cigars in the bathroom. He was told he cannot smoke in a public restroom and if he does it again he will be cited and asked to leave. The man understood and left the area.
Jan. 3
10:22 a.m. Stalled vehicle. CR 75/Ridgewood Road. Officers were notified a passenger car was stalled in the roadway on CR 75 near Neighbors Route 75. Officers arrived and found car stalled in middle of intersection. Officers were able to push car to far right side of road. Driver had help on the way and did not need anything else.
Jan. 4
4:22 p.m. ATV complaint. Dale Street E. The complainant reported there was a side-by-side ATV at Klinefelter park. The side-by-side was parked down by the pond when officers arrived on scene. Officers spoke with the driver of the side-by-side. Driver stated he knew he shouldn’t be driving the ATV through the park. Driver stated they just came to check the thickness of the ice and did not plan on staying, but they did. Officers gave driver a verbal warning about driving the ATV in the park. Driver understood and left. Officers did not notice any damage in the park.
Jan. 5
10:26 a.m. Stop-arm violation. 19th Avenue NE. Incident occurred in front of 711 19 Ave. NE, St. Joseph. Trobec’s Bus driver reported a silver Honda pilot was traveling south on 19th Avenue NE and did not stop for the school bus stop-arm that was fully extended. Officer requested video. Video was received and viewed. It was observed the violation occured as described. Bus also honked at the driver and immediately aired the license plate. Vehicle made no effort to stop. Davis could not identify the driver. Plate is not able to be determined from the video. Officer ran the plate and vehicle and plate match and contacted car owner and she confirmed she owns the vehicle. Officer asked her if she knew who was driving the vehicle. She said she did not but would call back. Car owner called back and said her son was driving the vehicle. She said she would have him call me. Driver called the officer a short time later. Admitted he was driving and that he zoned out and didn’t stop for the school bus stop-arm. Officer issued a citation for school bus stop-arm violation to be mailed.
Jan. 7
1:08 a.m. Suspicious activity. Minnesota Street W. Complainant reported seeing a vehicle park in his drive. He described the vehicle as a white Sedan but was unable to tell the make or model. He said two men exited the vehicle and walked around the exterior of his house. He didn’t think they attempted entry or stole anything. The officer observed a white Buick leave the area around this time before complainant had called matching the description. Officer located the vehicle at the Vista Apartments. The vehicle was unoccupied but the tail pipe was warm. The officer did not make contact with anyone at the Vista Apartments.
7:33 p.m. Property damage. Pondview Lane E. Officer was dispatched to a property damage. Complainant reported his mailbox was hit by a vehicle. Officer stopped by and took photos. No evidence left behind. No known suspects. The officer informed complainant it would be documented in case anyone comes forward to report the crash.
Jan. 10
1:54 p.m. Suspicious vehicle. Sauk River. A citizen called into St. Joseph police to report a suspicious vehicle at the boat access on the Sauk River. Officer checked on the vehicle that was parked on the boat launch and it was unoccupied. Officer checked the area and didn’t locate anyone. Officer left the area and vehicle was gone later that day.
Jan. 15
9:37 a.m. Possible gas leak. Second Avenue NW. Officer was dispatched to a possible gas leak at the building. Complainant said she could smell gas when she went in there this morning. Arrived on scene along with fire. Fire went in and checked the building. No gas reading detected. Odor was believed to be sewer gas. All cleared.
Jan. 17
11:28 a.m. Stolen items. Elm Street E. Coborn’s asset protection mailed in an incident report from Coborn’s in St. Joseph. On Dec. 4, 2023, two suspects entered the Coborn’s liquor store. One stole a bottle of Casamigos tequila valued at $47.99 and the other stole one bottle of Jameson whiskey valued at $34.99.
