If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sartell Police Department at 320-251-8186 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.
April 23
8:06 a.m. Burglary. 12th Avenue N. Officers were dispatched for a burglary. The victim stated they were getting ready to go camping and noticed the trailer hitch was missing. The victim stated it’s unknown when the hitch would have been taken, however a few weeks ago they did leave the garage door open by accident overnight. The victim stated everything in the garage was in order, so they knew what they were looking for. The hitch is valued at $1,000.
April 24
3:16 p.m. Theft. 207 CR 120. Officers were dispatched for a theft complaint. The victim stated they were shopping and left their wallet in the shopping cart. The victim attempted to pump gas and realized their wallet was missing. The victim returned to the store but could not find their wallet from the cart they had put away. Items missing include several credit/debit cards, roughly $480 in cash, driver’s license and social security card. Officers spoke with management to get some surveillance video but were unable to identify a suspect.
April 25
9:59 a.m. Traffic stop. LeSauk Drive/CR 1. Officers were on patrol when they came upon a vehicle where the registered owner had a suspended license. Officers located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The driver confirmed they knew about the status of their license and became verbal with officers. The driver was issued a citation for driving after suspension and waited for an eligible driver.
April 26
5:48 a.m. Traffic stop. First Street NE/Fourth Avenue E. While on routine patrol, officers approached a vehicle traveling faster than the posted speed limit. The officer clocked the vehicle traveling 44 mph in a 30-mph zone and conducted a traffic stop. The driver stated they were unaware of what the speed limit was. The driver was issued a citation for speeding and released.
April 27
6:28 p.m. Vandalism. Riverside Avenue. A caller reported an act of vandalism to the restrooms at Watab Park. Officers arrived to find the bathroom sink had been pulled out and smashed on the floor, the toilet ripped off from the floor, hand sanitizer dispensers ripped off the wall,and toilet paper all over the floor. Outside of the bathroom the drink fountain was damaged and there were dents on the overhang of the shelter. Officers were able to identify a juvenile suspect in this case.
April 28
10:37 a.m. Traffic stop. Riverside Avenue S. Officers were on routine patrol, when they made a traffic stop due to the driver having a revoked status. Officers spoke with the driver who knew he was revoked. The driver was given a citation, parked the vehicle in a nearby parking lot and walked home.
April 29
3:08 a.m. Suspicious activity. Second Street N. Officers were dispatched to the area for a report of several men hiding in the bushes armed with scoped rifles. With the help of the Sauk Rapids Police Department, officers checked the area with thermal cameras but did not find anyone. Officers called the complainant back and cleared the scene.
April 30
5:48 p.m. Burning complaint. Ninth Avenue N. Officers were dispatched for a burning complaint. Officers arrived on scene and saw a fire burning in the backyard. The homeowner explained they were cleaning up some twigs and accidentally put some twigs mixed with compost on the fire causing a lot of smoke. Officers reminded the homeowner the compost pile was not meant for burning, to which the homeowner understood and had a garden hose out and ready to put the fire out.
May 1
12:48 p.m. Crash. CR 1/Heritage Drive. Officers were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection. The driver of the first vehicle stated they were heading south on CR 1, into the roundabout, when their view was obstructed due to a larger vehicle next to them, causing the driver to hit the back quarter panel and wheel well of another vehicle who was heading west through the roundabout. No one was hurt, but the second vehicle did have to be towed from the scene.
May 2
6:20 p.m. Fraud. The victim stated someone calling from the Stearns County courthouse phone number told them they needed to pay a substantial amount of money for a bond as they had missed a federal court hearing and would be arrested. The victim was told to go to a Coinstar machine and buy bitcoin to pay for the bond. The victim complied and paid roughly $19,000. Officers confirmed and explained to the victim this was a scam. Officers are working to see if there is a way to track the bitcoin currency that was sent.
May 3
8:36 p.m. Dog complaint. Edinburgh Street. Officers responded to a dog complaint. The caller stated their neighbor’s dog had been barking for more than a half hour. The caller attempted to speak with the neighbor, however no one was home at the time. The caller has been frustrated as this is an ongoing issue. Officers did not hear a dog barking while speaking with the complainant and advised they would have the community service officer follow up on this complaint.
May 4
2:50 p.m. Property damage. 19th Avenue S./15th Street S. Officers were called to the intersection after the caller stated they had hit a road-closed sign. The caller stated they had been driving on 19th Avenue when a vehicle crossed over the intersection distracting them. The driver stated they ran into a road-closed sign splitting it in half and causing minor damage to their vehicle. The road-closed signs were out due to a controlled burn the fire department was conducting down the road.
May 5
6:27 p.m. Burglary. Eighth Avenue S. Officers responded to a burglary alarm at a nearby business. Staff on scene stated someone had broken into their building and stole more than $300 from the register. Through surveillance video and witness statements, officers were able to identify the suspect. Officers used a search warrant to enter the suspect’s home. The suspect told officers the stolen cash was in a wallet under the bed. Officers also found clothing matching what was worn in the surveillance video. The suspect admitted to breaking into the business and stealing money, before fleeing the scene on foot. The suspect faces burglary, theft and damage to property charges.
May 6
7:31 p.m. Traffic stop. Riverside Avenue/12th Street N. Officers were on routine patrol, when they saw a vehicle driving faster than the posted speed limit. Officers initiated a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, who was unaware of their speed. Driver was given a verbal warning.
