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.
Feb. 16
8:58 a.m. Threat. First Avenue NE/Date Street E. The victim came into the police Department to report a threats complaint that occurred on a bus. The victim stated on Feb. 15, the bus was stopped at the incident location. The suspect was exiting the bus and told the victim he was going to shoot her, he didn’t like her kind, and called her a “messy can.”The victim was upset because the suspect has made comments in the past. An officer went to Kennedy School where the victim met with administration. School administration and the officer met with the suspect who denied any comments and stated he only “joked” with friends, so they continued talking with the suspect about consequences with his words. Administration advised they will be calling the suspect’s parents to bring him home for the day and they will advise parents of the threats.
Feb. 17
3:42 a.m. Parking violations. Baker Street E./10th Avenue SE. An officer issued a sixth parking citation to the same driver. It was verified the previous five tickets were not paid. The officer requested the vehicle be towed. The officer photo documented the condition of the vehicle along with the property inside. When tow arrived and hooked the vehicle up, driver came out stating he had mailed in payments for the previous parking citations that day. Driver stated he was unable to pay the drop fee for tow. Vehicle was then towed to a tow lot and will be held until proof of ownership and all outstanding parking tickets are paid.
Feb. 18
3:23 a.m. Noise complaint. 20th Avenue SE. Complainant stated there was loud music coming from the apartment for the last two hours. The officer could hear the music down the hall, spoke with the violating renters and said they had to keep the music down or they would get a citation; they understood. The officer advised the complainant if they turn up the music again to call back.
Feb. 21
10:14 p.m. Suspicious item. 10th Avenue SE. An officer was dispatched to a suspicious item. Complainant stated a trail camera that was attached to a tree took a photo of her. She detached it from the tree and has it in her apartment now and would like it picked up. The officer advised her to contact her landlord to report it to them.
Feb. 22
2:15 p.m. Fourth Avenue NE. Caller’s daughter was moving into her apartment. She needed to set up an Excel energy account. Her daughter’s boyfriend’s mom called a number online for Excel. They asked her all the questions to obtain her information. SSN, debit card #, date of birth and more. They asked for $200 to set up the account. Stated money will come out of account on the 28th of this month. Stated she would get an email confirmation. She received no email and got suspicious and started looking into Excel further. She called a different number and they stated they don’t charge a set-up account fee and most likely was a scam. An officer advised since she wasn’t out any money to cancel and put holds on all accounts. Caller stated they were working on that today. Not out any money at this point, just documentation.
Feb. 23
1:27 a.m. False ID. Second Avenue NW. An officer was dispatched to a false ID at Kwik Trip. The cashier turned over a fake ID she had confiscated earlier in the night. Citation pending investigation.
Feb. 24
1:28 a.m. DWI. CR 75/CR 134. While on patrol, an officer saw a vehicle swearving in its lane and had expired vehicle registration. The officer activated their emergency lights and stopped the vehicle. Officer identified the driver who had blood shot watery eyes, and an odor of an alcoholic beverage could be smelled coming from the vehicle. Officer asked driver to step out of the vehicle to do sobriety tests. Driver was arrested for DWI.
Feb. 25
9:14 p.m. Expired tabs. CR 134/CR 75. An officer ran a license plate, which had expired registration from January 2024. The officer activated their emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was unable to provide proof of insurance, so she was issued a citation for no proof. A verbal warning for the registration was also given to her.
Feb. 2
5:27 p.m. Suspicious persons. Minnesota Street E./Ninth Avenue SE. Officers were dispatched to a suspicious activity in the area for a report of men with work vest walking door to door asking questions about peoples’ homes. An officer made contact with two men on 16th Avenue SE and another officer made contact with two men on Seventh Avenue SE. Men stated they worked for a remodling company. They were advised by one of the officers that they need a peddeler’s license to go door to door with the intent to sell. They were advised to obtain a permit and to stop for the night.
Feb. 29
1:50 p.m. Alarm. Elm Street E. Units were dispatched to an alarm at Magnifi. Officers spoke with employee who came out to the parking lot and explained she didn’t know why it was going off and everything was good there.
