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.
Sept. 19
2:57 a.m. Alarm. 19th Avenue NE. Officers checked exterior of building. All doors secured, no sign of forced entry. Was advised by alarm company no keyholders would be responding even though additional trips from the warehouse were coming in. Officer attempted to contact keyholders on their list with no answer.
10:11 a.m. Property damage accident. Cedar Street E. Officer was dispatched to a delivery truck that had caused a power pole to break. When officer arrived on scene, the delivery truck was pulled up to St. Joseph Liquor and the driver was waiting. The driver was new and said he went to turn around by a retaining wall area. There was a guide wire in the ground and he got too close. His driver drove over the wire pulling the pole toward him and the wires on top were pulling the other way, snapping the pole. Xcel was already on scene when the officer arrived. Officer took photos of the scene and filled out an accident info sheet. Xcel and the driver were each given a copy. All power had been returned to the city except for Cedar Street Salon and Omann Insurance.
Sept. 20
7:14 a.m. Suspicious vehicle. Elena Lane. Complainant stated there was a light blue four-door vehicle driving slow in the area. A male driver with a child in the car last seen going eastbound toward Seventh. Officer checked the area and east of the complaint with negative contact.
9:26 a.m. Intoxicated person. First Avenue NE/Ash Street E. Report of male asking people for money and falling over. Officer found him walking on First Avenue NE and issued a breathalyzer test with a result of .382. He asked to be taken to the hospital and officer transported him there.
3:54 p.m. Welfare check. Baker Street E. Mother asked officer to check daughter’s welfare. Officer went to the apartment. The vehicle she drives is not there and no answer at the door. Apartment appeared dark inside and the doors were locked. Her mother was notified and advised to call back later if needed.
Sept. 21
6:42 p.m. Neighbor dispute. Schneider Drive. Complainant stated the neighbor’s kids have been hitting his trailer with balls and have also been climbing on his back steps. He stated he asked them to stop but they have ignored him. Officer spoke to neighbor. They stated complainant came out and gave them dirty looks but did not ask them to stop. Neighbor stated kids have been playing in the road to keep away from complainant. They stated they would keep the kids away from the complainant’s trailer.
9:13 p.m. Gunshot. Fourth Avenue SE. Received report of possible gunshot in area. Officer located shooter who stated he was shooting a paint-ball gun. He stated it made a “popping” sound and could see why someone thought it was a real gun. He was advised of the city ordinance in relationship to shooting and was warned to not do it again. He was cooperative and agreed.
Sept. 22
7:45 a.m. Stolen vehicle. 17th Avenue SE. Complainant reported sometime after 8:30 the previous night their car was stolen from their driveway. Keys were left inside and the doors were left unlocked. Vehicle valued at $28,000.
9:18 a.m. Vehicle theft. 17th Avenue SE. Complainant stated sometime overnight his unlocked pickup was gone through. Taken was one set of speakers valued at $600, a cell phone charger valued at $10 and a full carton of cigarettes valued at $75.
Oct. 16
11:30 a.m. Shooting incident. 69th Avenue, St. Augusta. A male from St. Cloud, 30, and a male from Sauk Rapids, 21, drove to a residence in St. Augusta to collect money owed to them. The 30-year-old male entered the home armed with a handgun and wearing a bandanna over his face, while the other waited in the vehicle. While in the residence he encountered the victim and a struggle ensued over the handgun. The gun discharged striking the victim in the abdomen. He admitted to taking two bags containing methamphetamine before leaving the residence. Witnesses in the home called 911 and gave a description of the vehicle and its occupants to the 911 operator. Deputies and emergency medical personnel responded to that residence to administer aid. The victim was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Upon hearing the call, a Stearns County Deputy Sheriff began to search for the suspects using a route he believed would be a logical escape route. Approximately 15 minutes later, the deputy encountered a vehicle in St. Joseph Township that matched the description of the suspect vehicle. The deputy followed the vehicle until other officers arrived and then stopped the vehicle on College Avenue S. in St. Joseph. Both males admitted to their involvement to investigators. Evidence linking them to the crime was found in the car, which included an empty holster, a sawed-off shotgun, suspected methamphetamine and a bandanna. They admitted throwing the weapon used in the assault out of the vehicle window and showed deputies the area where the gun was discarded. They were booked into the Stearns County Jail on first-degree assault charges. Deputies searched the area where the gun was discarded and did find a loaded revolver submerged in water in a roadside ditch in St. Joseph Township. A search warrant was executed at the victim’s residence and evidence was gathered in relation to this incident. Other evidence was also gathered and deputies are continuing the investigation which could result in additional criminal charges.