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. 16
11:52 p.m. Curfew. 19th Street S. While an officer was out on routine patrol, they came across two juvenile girls in a parking lot skateboarding. The officer spoke to the girls and notified them they were out past curfew. The girls attempted to make contact with their parents but were unable to. The officer followed the girls home and was able to speak to a parent and they discussed curfew. A verbal warning was given.
Aug. 17
8:40 p.m. Suspicious person. 2-½ Street N. An officer was dispatched to a man on a Segway, the man had been hanging out in the area all day. While the officer was enroute a second call came in about the same man. The officer made contact with the man who told him he works for a company doing pest control. The officer asked for his solicitor’s license and the man was unable to produce one. The officer explained to the man how to obtain a solicitor’s license with the city, and that he couldn’t be going door-to-door until he obtained one.
Aug. 18
11:09 p.m. Suspicious vehicle. Roberts Road. An officer was dispatched to a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot. The caller reported to dispatch that there was a black SUV with the door open and no one around. The officer was able to locate the vehicle and confirm no one was around. The officer located a phone number for the registered owner and had to leave a voicemail. The officer closed the door prior to leaving.
Aug. 19
6:28 p.m. Found property. CR 120. An officer was dispatched to respond to the bus stop area for property that was found. Dispatch informed the officer a man called in stating he had found a box in the parking lot which he believed contained drugs. The man needed to get on the bus and leave but was leaving the box. When the officer arrived, they couldn’t locate the box.
Aug. 20
9:13 p.m. Fireworks. Third Street N. Dispatch took a call of possible gun shots. As the officer arrived in the area, he saw people standing outside. The officer stopped and spoke to the people, and they told the officer an unknown person had lit some fireworks in the area just prior to his arrival. The people told the officer they had only heard and saw fireworks and nothing else suspicious.
Aug. 21
5:42 p.m. Shoplifting. CR 120. Dispatch received a call of a male shoplifter and dispatched an officer to the business. The officer arrived and met with an asset-protection employee, who had the male suspect with her in the office. The officer was informed the man was under scanning items. The officer asked the man what had happened, and the man stated he must have forgotten to scan a few things. The officer learned that $199.96 was the total loss for merchandise. The officer cited the man for misdemeanor theft.
Aug. 22
4:10 a.m. Unwanted. Twin Rivers Court. An officer was dispatched to a business for a male party sitting on the sidewalk in the front of the building. Staff had not asked the man to leave but were concerned since they were about to go inside for work. The officer made contact with the man, who told the officer he had gotten into an argument with his girlfriend and left the residence. He had simply been looking for a quiet place to cool down. The man was advised staff would like him to be on his way. The man left without incident.
Aug. 23
3:27 a.m. Building fire. Fourth Street N. Officers were dispatched to a garage on fire, which was attached to the house. Upon arrival, officers noted there were active flames near the front garage door and rafter area. There was a truck in the driveway, so the officer assumed someone was in the home. They knocked at the front door with no answer; the officers tried the back door of the home as well. Smoke could be seen coming from the patio door. One of the officers forced entry into the home. A man was found asleep upstairs in the home. The man was assisted outside the home. Sartell Fire Department arrived and safely knocked down the fire; extension of the fire was found in the attic of the home.
Aug. 24
9:12 p.m. Driving complaint. Seventh Street N. Officers were dispatched to the area for a report of vehicles driving recklessly. The caller told dispatch they could hear tires squealing. Dispatch told the officer multiple calls were received on this. As the officer entered the area, he saw two vehicles drifting and driving at a high rate of speed. Once the officer was seen, the vehicles tried leaving the parking lot. The officer activated his emergency lights to get the vehicles to stop. Both juvenile parties were talked to and admitted to making bad choices. Verbal warnings were given to both drivers, and the officer contacted their parents to discuss the contact and complaints.
Aug. 25
11 a.m. Community engagement. Second Street N. The Community Service Officer hosted the yearly Cookout with Cops event. About 180 Sartell seniors were served lunch. During lunch the Sartell Fire Marshal, Violent Offenders Task Force, Stearns County Jail K9 and handler and Central Minnesota Council on Aging provided information on current crime trends. Handouts were given with helpful topics for seniors.
Aug. 26
11:16 p.m. Agency assist. Division Street. Officers were requested to assist another agency as an officer had radioed, he was fighting with a male party, and then shortly after the man fled the area. Officers responded and set up a perimeter, while other officers searched the area. The man was not located but was identified. Sartell units cleared once the man was verbally identified.
Aug. 27
3:30 p.m. Animal complaint. Riverside Avenue S. An officer was dispatched to an animal call. The caller told dispatch there was a large turtle on the side of the road. The caller told dispatch they would wait to make sure the turtle didn’t get hit because it was very slow moving. The officer arrived on scene to find a large snapping turtle on the side of the roadway. The complainant furnished a tote and a shovel for the officer to use. The officer noted the turtle did not appreciate his life-saving efforts, as it lunged at him several times. The snapping turtle was safely transported in the tote, in the squad to the Rotary Park and released into its natural habitat, the river.
Aug. 28
5:51 p.m. Bike assist. Blackberry Court. An officer was dispatched to a bike found in the backyard of a property. The officer arrived and found a three-wheeled bike. The owner of the property did not know where it came from or who it belonged to. The officer was unable to transport the tricycle due to the size. An officer later went and picked up the tricycle off the property and transported it to safe keeping as found property.
Aug. 29
1:01 a.m. Suspicious vehicle. Le Sauk Drive. An officer was sent to check on a vehicle that had the door open since 11 p.m. at a business. The officer arrived on scene and found the vehicle. The officer noted everything appeared normal, and the door had just been left open. The officer was able to close the door and cleared.
