If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sartell Police Department at 320-251-8186 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320-255-1301, 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.
Sept. 5
10:38 a.m. Trespass. Bellin Drive. Officers were dispatched to the area for a woman being verbal with staff and refusing to leave. Officers arrived and recognized the woman as the same person who was causing similar issues to other nearby businesses. The woman was issued a trespass notice and left the property.
Sept. 6
11:48 p.m. Suspicious Vehicle. Riverside Avenue N. While on patrol, officers noticed a vehicle parked at Watab Park. The officer spoke with the two individuals. The driver stated there was an argument with a roommate and he left for space and was talking it out with a friend. Both individuals were advised the park was closed and they needed to leave.
Sept. 7
7:57 a.m. Hit and run. CR 1/Heritage Drive. Officers responded to a hit-and-run crash in the area. The victim stated they were heading south, entering the roundabout. She stated she was about to exit onto River Oaks Lane to go to Starbucks, when a second vehicle entered the roundabout and struck her vehicle. The second vehicle continued through the roundabout and left the scene. The victim stated they were able to get the second vehicle’s license plate. After running the plates, the vehicle matched the description of the second vehicle. Officers left a message with the hit-and-run driver and are waiting for a call back before pursuing the case further.
Sept. 8
9:22 a.m. Fraud. Oak Pond Drive. Officers met with the victim at the police department regarding online fraud. The complainant reported they were on their computer when the screen went out of control and said they were hacked and to call a number. The victim spoke with a man, claiming to be from Microsoft and to send money to fix the issue. The victim went to the bank and took out $15,000 and then went to a cryptocurrency machine and inserted the money. The victim later realized it was a scam. Officers directed her to notify her bank.
Sept. 9
9:17 p.m. Theft. 21 CR 120. Officers responded to a shoplifting complaint. While enroute, officers saw the vehicle driving away from the business. Officers made a traffic stop and spoke to the driver and passenger, who matched the description of the suspect. The passenger then pulled a plastic tote filled with several items from the backseat. The suspect was then taken back to the store to return the merchandise. After everything was accounted for, the suspect was cited for theft and trespassed from the property for one year.
Sept. 10
12:45 p.m. Crash. Riverside Avenue/Heritage Drive. Police responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area. Officers learned both vehicles were approaching the roundabout at the same time. Both vehicles believed the other vehicle was attempting to yield, causing the two vehicles to collide. Officers took photos at the scene and exchanged driver information. No one was cited.
Sept. 11
12:20 p.m. Stop-arm violation. Third Street S. Office was notified of a stop-arm violation, which occurred Friday afternoon. Trobec’s Bus reported one of their drivers was stopped along Third Street S. going west, when an eastbound vehicle did not stop for the flashing lights. Officers attempted to call the owner of the vehicle but were unsuccessful. Officers mailed a letter to the driver detailing the violation along with some school-bus safety-education materials. This is a good reminder to practice bus safety with school back in session.
Sept. 12
9:41 p.m. Verbal dispute. Brianna Drive. Officers were dispatched to the area for a verbal dispute. Officers learned an argument started over a phone call and continued to escalate. One of the parties then left the house to cool off. Officers spoke with both parties about the incident and learned nothing physical took place. Officers reminded both parties of the importance of remaining civil in the heat of the moment.
Sept. 13
11:43 a.m. Fraud. 23rd Avenue N. The victim came in regarding a fraud complaint. She stated while using her computer she got an alert from Microsoft asking her to call a number. The victim stated someone told her there was potential fraud happening with her bank account due to several pending transactions going to Mexico. The victim was asked for the phone number for her bank and spoke with someone she believed was with their fraud department. The suspect then told the victim to withdraw $5,600 and to then change the cash into bitcoin. The victim stated it wasn’t until the next day when they realized it was a scam. Officers advised her to alert the bank and to cancel her credit cards.
Sept. 14
10:55 a.m. Crash. Le Sauk Drive/Twin Rivers Court. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection. Officers learned the driver of the first vehicle did a quick stop at the intersection, and continued straight, striking the second vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle stated he did not see the driver of the first vehicle until they collided in the intersection. No citations were issued.
Sept. 15
8:39 a.m. Harassment. Fourth Street N. Victim stated her ex-boyfriend in Duluth won’t stop texting her or stop sending messages on Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram. The victim told police her ex had threatened to send photos of her out on social media. Officers advised her to delete her social media accounts and went over how to file a restraining order if things should escalate.
Sept. 16
3:40 p.m. Fraud. Second Street S. Officers were requested to speak with an employee from Walgreens regarding a prescription fraud. The employee stated they received a message from their corporate team that someone gained access to a doctor’s electronic prescription signature. The employee stated they were notified by another local store of an individual who had tried to fill a prescription of Oxycodone using the doctor’s signature. Shortly after their location got a call of someone coming to pick up their mother’s oxycodone prescription. The employee told the man he was not going to fill the prescription. Officers advised staff to call them if the man arrives to the store.
Sept. 17
5:20 p.m. Vandalism. 100 CR 120. Police responded to Sauk River Regional Park for a vandalism complaint. A passerby noticed three vehicles in the park with busted windows. Officers met with owners of the vehicles who stated they were in the park hiking. After checking their vehicles, the victims stated their purses were missing. All three victims were asked to email a list of all the items in their purses. Officers explained the process of how to report their stolen debit cards, credit cards and checks.
Sept. 18
2 p.m. Traffic stop. Troop Drive/Scout Drive. While on patrol, officers conducted a traffic stop after learning the driver had a revoked status. The driver told officers they were not aware of being revoked, and that he just got done with a limited license. Officers advised him the DMV just revoked his license yesterday.
Sept. 19
7:44 p.m. Gas no pay. Pinecone Road S. Officers were dispatched for a no-pay at the gas station. An employee stated a customer didn’t pay for their gas. Officers attempted to contact the resident by phone but were unsuccessful. The officer later spoke to the resident at their home, who stated they thought they had paid for their fuel, when buying other items. The resident stated they would return to the store and pay for their gas. Officers notified the business they would be arriving soon to settle the debt.
Sept. 20
3:41 p.m. Unwanted person. Second Street S. Officers were called to a complaint of an unwanted person. The business owner stated they had just terminated an employee who would not leave. Officers arrived a short time later to find the employee had left on foot. Officers found the former employee down the street at a nearby business. She told officers she was upset that she was fired. Officers handed her the paycheck she left at the business and she waited for the bus.
Sept. 21
9:37 a.m. Juvenile problem. Officers were called to one of the local schools after a student left without permission. While enroute, officers found the student walking into a nearby park. The officer spoke to the student, who said they were upset about a dispute between another student who was calling them names, and that the staff was going to call their parents. The officer was able to calm down the boy and brought him back to school. Officers spoke with the boy’s parents who stated they were aware of the situation.
Sept. 22
9:17 p.m. Illegal burn. Mockingbird Loop. Officers responded to a burning complaint. The caller stated someone in the neighborhood was burning furniture, and that the fire was so big it might catch the field on fire. Officers arrived and spoke with the resident and advised him of the ordinance. The fire was put out and the homeowner asked to be emailed a copy of the ordinance for future knowledge.
Sept. 23
6:11 p.m. Shoplifting. 21 CR 120. Officers were called to a shoplifting complaint. An employee of the store stated a man had left on a bike with a backpack containing stolen electronics. While enroute from another call, an officer spotted the man heading south on Benton Drive. The officer activated their lights and stopped the man who confessed to the theft. Officers found three Xbox controllers, a USB docking station and a Nintendo Switch in his backpack. The man was cited for theft and the items returned to the store.
Sept. 24
7:34 p.m. Stolen vehicle. Ninth Avenue N. Officers were dispatched to a report of a stolen vehicle. The victim stated they had been out of town for the weekend and had left the vehicle parked in the driveway, and when they returned it was gone. The victim stated they were unaware if the vehicle was locked or not. Along with the vehicle, the victim stated there was a Graco car seat worth about $300 inside. The victim stated there are no cameras facing the house, and they have no idea who may have taken the vehicle. Officers entered the vehicle as stolen in the database to locate the vehicle.
Sept. 25
8:09 a.m. Hazard. Fifth Street N. Our department received a call about a camper parked along the roadway believed to be causing a potential hazard. Officers spoke with the owner who was planning on moving it later in the day. Officers advised the owner they had 72 hours to move it, or it would be cited or towed. The owner understood and had no further questions.