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.
Oct. 21
8:44 a.m. Traffic stop. Minnesota Street W/First Avenue NW. While parked on Elm Street officer observed a vehicle drive past and the female driver was texting. Info was relayed to Police Chief Joel Klein who stopped beside the vehicle at CR 2/CR 75 intersection while at a red light. Klein stated the female was still texting. Officer stopped the vehicle and identified the driver. She admitted to texting and a citation was issued.
3:41 p.m. Theft. Minnesota Street W. Complainant reported her folding chair missing. Chair was sitting in parking spot so she could sit while smoking. She stated the chair was old and probably worth about $3. Unknown where the chair is and who took it. Occurred sometime between 1-3 p.m. today.
3:49 p.m. Property damage. Sixth Avenue SE. Complainant called to report damage to her garage door. She stated everyone left the residence this morning and when they returned at approximately 2:30 p.m. today, there was damage to the door. She stated she was unsure as to how much replacement costs would be and unsure as to who could have done the damage. She stated she just wanted a police report filed on the damage. Pictures taken.
6:36 p.m. Theft. Chapel Lane. Complainant stated her bike was left unlocked in front of parking spot 52 of Chapel Lane before she left at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 19. When she returned home at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 21 her bike was missing. The bike was red in color with three wheels, white basket on back and possibly should have complainant’s name on it. Estimated value of $100.
Oct. 22
6:40 a.m. Suspicious activity. Baker Street E. Officers arrived and were met by the complainant outside his residence. Detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from his breath. He stated there were several males outside behind the residence and when they turned on the lights, he heard one of them say, “OK, they’re up now.” He was unable to get a physical description. It was too dark. As officers were checking behind the residence, the complainant stopped and said they were gone and pointed to between two houses on the other side of the fence. He stated two males were behind the residence and the others were between the houses. Officers checked the area and found nobody out walking around.
Oct. 23
2 p.m. Found property. First Avenue NE. City maintenance found a pair of prescription glasses at the Wobegon Trailhead. Glasses were placed in found property.
3:15 p.m. Dog complaint. Able Street E. Anonymous caller reported a dog barking. Caller was upset because the dog always barks at this residence. It barked for two hours in the morning and is now barking again. Complainant believes the owner is at home. Officer arrived and saw and heard a black lab barking in the backyard. Spoke to owner and advised her of the complaint. Also advised next violation would result in a citation.
5:39 p.m. Welfare check. Birch Street W. Complainant stated there was a young boy walking outside by the mailbox. She stated he was wearing a dark winter jacket and jeans. Officer spoke with several neighbors who stated they didn’t see anyone matching that description. One neighbor stated a few kids often walk from the adjacent park to that area. Officer checked park and surrounding area.
Oct. 24
4:34 a.m. Alarm. Elm Street E. Officer arrived and found four vehicles in the parking lot. Met at the door by the manager who stated she did her same routine as always when opening the store but did not get the alarm turned off in time. She said the alarm company called and asked for a code but she didn’t know what they were talking about. She said she will inquire about it with the general manager and owners.
6:13 p.m. Agency assist. Baker Street E. Grand Island, Neb. police investigating a hit-and-run that occurred with a vehcile bearing a Minnesota license. Requested officer to check address for car and attempt to make contact and find out who was driving the car. Officer located vehicle in question and spoke with registered owner. She was asked who was driving her vehicle during the past few days. She stated she was in Nebraska with the vehicle and she had spoken to a Grand Island police officer today and the situation was resolved with them.
Oct. 25
4:35 p.m. Suspicious activity. CR 121/CR 138. Complainant reported two men having a fire by the river. The men stated they knew the property owners. Officer advised them there was way too much smoke and they were getting complaints. The men agreed to put the fire out and move to their property.
Oct. 26
12:14 a.m. Verbal. College Avenue S. Report of people arguing. Officer arrived and could not find anything in the area. He was approached by a female who wished to stay anonymous who said the people who were arguing were now in their residence. Made contact with the female and she stated she was in an argument earlier and the male party had left. She said she and the male were in a verbal argument about a broken garage door and said it was her fault because she accused him of breaking the door when it turned out her daughter did it. Officer asked several times if anything physical, threatening or anything that would cause her concern for her safety had happened and she was adamant it was nothing more than an argument. Officer spoke with the daughter alone and she said she would say something if her mom was hurt or in trouble. Officer gave the mother a victim’s rights card which she signed.
12:42 a.m. Found property. Minnesota Street W. While conducting bar checks, officer observed a male entering Sal’s Bar with a U.S. flag on a flagpole. The flagpole was shoved down the front of his pants. Officer asked him where he got the flag and he stated from a friend’s house. He said he picked it up off the ground. Flag appeared to be one the Legion puts on the lightpoles on College Avenue and Minnesota Street. Flag was confiscated and placed into evidence room.
10:29 a.m. Suspicious activity. 19th Avenue NE. Report of a woman in a storage unit. Officer arrived and found her in the shed knitting. She stated she was fine and was dressed for the weather and did not want any help with food or shelter. Officer advised her he would stop back later if she changed her mind. She stated she would be going to St. Cloud later on in the morning. She did have a lock and key for the storage unit. Did appear to be homeless.
2:40 p.m. Medical. Baker Street E. Three-year-old was hit in the head by a sibling. Small third-inch cut. Officer put on gauze pad and ice bag. Cleared when St. Joseph Fire Department arrived.
Oct. 27
1:15 a.m. Intoxicated person. College Avenue S. Officers received a report of an intoxicated male who pushed a female at the bus stop on campus. Officers met with security who had the male and female. Spoke with the male who appeared to be very intoxicated. A breathalyzer was administered which indicated a blood-alcohol level of .281 percent. He was unable to understand officer asking if a sober party could care for him, so he was transported to detox. He was given a citation for underage consumption. Female was spoken to at scene and stated male party had pushed her after a verbal argument. She stated she was unsure who was actually the aggressor and who had pushed first. She was very intoxicated and released with a group of sober friends.
Oct. 28
7:24 a.m. Accident. College Avenue N./CR 75. Vehicle one was stopped at a red light. Vehicle two was behind vehicle one and for what he said was unknown reasons, hit the rear of vehicle one. Very minor damage to vehicle one. Info sheet was exchanged.
Oct. 29
1 a.m. Noise. College Avenue S. Complaint of noise. Officer heard individual working with tools in the garage. Individual stated he was working in his girlfriend’s garage. He was advised of the complaint and he stated he would be done for the evening.
8:07 a.m. Property damage. 13th Avenue NE. Male backed up his vehicle the previous night and hit the mailbox. He stated he planned on going to the house but not too early to wake them up. They agreed to take care of it themselves. Male was on leave from Turkey and staying at his brother’s house across the street.
Nov. 15
1:51 p.m. Accident with injuries. CR 7/CR 146 Fairhaven Township. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, Gold Cross Ambulance, North Care Air and South Haven Rescue were dispatched to an accident with injuries. A car driven by a female, 21, of St. Joseph was traveling northbound on CR 7. A Jeep driven by a male, 59, of St. Joseph was traveling west on CR 146. The male failed to stop for the stop sign and crashed into the side of the female’s vehicle. The female’s passenger, a female, 21, of Monticello was airlifted to the St. Cloud Hospital. The drivers of the two vehicles were transported to St. Cloud Hospital by Gold Cross ambulance. The accident remains under investigation.
Nov. 21
9:11 a.m. Fatal crash. CR 2/Minnesota Street. A 58-year-old male from Eden Valley was hauling a heavy load of sand north on CR2 in a semi-tractor. A 90-year-old female from Cold Spring was traveling west on Minnesota Street and attempted to make a left turn onto southbound CR 2. The semi-tractor collided into the driver’s side of her car and slid into the west side of the ditch. The semi-tractor tipped over and lost its load. The female was pronounced dead at the scene and the male was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital by Gold Cross. The St. Joseph Police Department, State Patrol and St. Joseph Fire and Rescue assisted with the scene. The accident remains under investigation.