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.
Aug. 22
12:02 a.m. Suspicious vehicle. Third Avenue N. While on patrol, officers noticed a vehicle in the parking lot next to the football field. Officers briefly saw people walking near the area but lost sight of them. While checking on the vehicle, the owner returned and stated he got a call from a friend asking to meet. He mentioned his friend was intoxicated and wanted to talk. He told the officer he agreed to meet with her, talked, and then walked her home.
Aug. 23
8:04 a.m. Theft. Second Street S. Officers responded to a theft complaint. The complaint stated a woman scheduled a hair appointment online for Monday. Once the work was done, the woman told the employee they had left their wallet in their vehicle and would get it and return. The woman never returned, and the parking lot was empty. The case has been sent to our investigators for further review.
Aug. 24
8:46 p.m. No pay. Riverside Avenue S. Police were called for a gas drive off. An employee told officers the suspect was pumping gas and when they went outside to get the license plate the suspect then dropped the fuel nozzle and quickly left the parking lot. The employee described the suspect as a black man in his early 20s, wearing a face mask and driving a blue Hyundai.
Aug. 25
1:02 p.m. Crash. CR 1/CR 120. Officers responded to a single-vehicle crash. The driver stated they were heading toward Walmart when they over corrected, spun out and hit the curb causing the back tire to break off and damage the front tire on the driver’s side. No one was hurt, but the vehicle had to be towed. The roads were wet from recent rain at the time of the crash.
Aug. 26
6:07 p.m. Vandalism. Seventh Street N. Officers were dispatched to a report of vandalism. The victims stated their vehicles had been keyed either yesterday or today. Officers noticed scratches on both driver’s sides of the vehicles, which appeared to be made with a sharp object such as a key. Officers spoke with the owners of other vehicles nearby who reported not seeing any vandalism taking place. Currently there are no suspects in the case.
Aug. 27
2:24 p.m. Burning violation. Bridgeport Drive. Police responded to a burning complaint. The caller stated someone was burning yard waste on a gas grill. Officers arrived to find the homeowners burning branches and leaves on the grates of the grill. The homeowners were told they were burning prohibited items and to stop burning any items like this on the grill. Officers explained what could and could not be burned legally.
Aug. 28
3:37 a.m. Citizen contact. 23rd Street S./Pinecone Road S. Officers were on patrol when about six juveniles on their bikes were near a holding pond on Pinecone Road. Officers attempted to speak with them, at which time five of the six took off. Officers spoke with the remaining juvenile who stated he and his friends were just hanging out. The officer brought the boy back home and spoke to his parents. No curfew violations were given.
Aug. 29
3:58 p.m. Warrant. Evening Star Court. Officers received a complaint who stated Jerry Walden was hired to repair her roof among other jobs around the house. The complainant stated the man had already cashed two checks and never did any work. Officers learned Walden had multiple felony warrants and was on the property again asking for more money. As the suspect was attempting to leave, officers arrived on scene causing the suspect to flee on foot. Officers set up a perimeter and a K9 was called in to help search for the man. After a few hours, officers were unable to find the suspect and called off the search. The man’s vehicle was towed from the scene and told complainant to call police if the owner should come for it.
Aug. 30
11:58 a.m. Vandalism. Pinecone Road N. Officers responded to a vandalism complaint. The complaint someone had cut down a small pine tree along the property with an ax. The complaint stated these types of incidents have been an ongoing issue. It is unknown currently who is responsible for these acts. Officers suggested setting up cameras to better help identify a possible suspect in the future.
Aug. 31
11:48 a.m. Fraud. Davenport Court. The victim came into the Police Department to report a scam. The victim stated they were told to get $50,000 out of their bank account from a man claiming to be with the FBI. The suspects told the victim to say it was for a home improvement project. The victim stated later that day two men stopped by the house and took the money. The next day the suspects again asked for an additional $50,000, at which point the bank alerted the victim’s family. The bank cancelled the transaction, and the victim was advised to close all bank accounts, change their phone number and check their credit history.
Sept. 1
8 p.m. Threats complaint. 10th Avenue N. Officers responded to a threat’s complaint. The victim stated they believed they were involved in a romance scam. The victim stated they had been in an online relationship with someone out of North Carolina for more than a year. She stated the two had also set up a bank account together. The victim stated recently the man paid her back some money he owed her, but stated he needed it back or the Mexican Mafia was going to come for her. The victim stated she didn’t care about the money but was concerned for her and her kid’s safety. After some investigation, it’s believed the victim was involved in a long-term scam that started on a dating website. The victim was advised to block all communication with the person and to call if things were to change or escalate.
Sept. 2
7 p.m. Juvenile complaint. Second Street S. Officers were dispatched to the area for a juvenile complaint. The complaint reported seeing two kids on bikes spraying vehicles with silly string. Officers arrived on scene and stopped the kids, one which had a can of silly string in their hands. Officers told the kids why they were stopped, and they admitted to spraying vehicles with silly string. Officers told the boys they would not be charged with a crime but were advised of the seriousness of their actions.
Sept. 3
5:59 p.m. Crash. Second Street S. Police responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area. Officers stated one of the drivers was attempting to back out of a parking spot and backed into the rear of another vehicle. The driver stated their back-up camera was not working and due to the slope of the parking lot, they were not able to see the second vehicle. No one was hurt.
Sept. 4
1:44 p.m. Burning violation. 17th Street S. Officers were dispatched for an illegal burning complaint. Officers arrived on scene and saw a small, contained fire in a fire pit. Officers spoke to the homeowner who was watching the fire. The homeowner advised they were burning bark from wood they had recently split. No violation.
