If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the St. Joseph Police Department at 320-363-8250 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-255-1301 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. 18
2:50 a.m. Verbal. Minnesota St. E. Waite Park officers and Stearns County sergeant responded to a gun call for a man and a woman being verbal and threats of suicide.
Aug. 19
1:09 p.m. Harassment. Hill Street W. A woman came into the police department to express her concerns about an incident disclosed to her. The mother disclosed on Aug. 16, 2024 her youngest daughter’s dad, who hasn’t see his daughter for more than two years, showed up wanting to see his kid. He does not have custody of the child. He was harassing the people on the property. The officer spoke with the mother more in depth about the incident; she stated the same thing and wanted to know what she could do. The officer advised she needed to call when these things happen. According to the mother, the dad of the child was supposed to show up that night, unknown time or if he will be back. She said he was possibly under the influence of something. Mother has not talked to him for two years. The officer advised to get a harassment order against him and explained how to apply. She asked for extra patrol. The man would be driving a white SUV possibly an Equinox, said she had family there all week and no one drove any white vehicles. She said she does not want the man on property.
Aug. 20
12: 57 p.m. Fraud. Morningside Loop. An officer was dispatched to a report of a fraud. Complainant agreed to buy a trailer from her neighbor via Marketplace for $900. Complainant was told to send money via Venmo to neighbor’s cousin. Complainant said she sent two Venmo transactions of $600 and $300 to pay and sent screenshots of the payment to neighbor. Complainant later found out neighbor’s Facebook account was hacked and she was out the money and there was no trailer. Complainant reached out to Venmo and there is nothing Venmo can do to refund the money as all transactions are final once completed. She could request a refund, but the scammer would have to voluntarily return the money. Complainant reported the fraud to her bank so they are aware but the bank told her it was unlikely they could do anything to get her money back and told her to make a police report.
Aug. 22
10:41 a.m. Medical. Elm Street W. Medical alarm for a man vomitting, diarrhea, kidney infection. Fire department arrived prior to the officer being able to and radio’d the officer could cancel.
Aug. 23
9:13 p.m. Loud music. College Avenue N. An officer was dispatched to a loud music complaint at the LaPlayette. A refused complainant said there was loud music in the alley. The LaPlayette had a permit for music until 11 p.m. for La Jam.
Aug. 24
12:56 p.m. Road rage. CR 75/20th Avenue SE. An officer was flagged down by a man near MN Street/College Avenue who was clearly upset and talking loudly. He said he was driving east on CR 75 in the left turn lane to go south on 20th Avenue S. when a white GMC Yukon Denali with an approximately 30-year-old white female driver almost side-swiped him. He said the Yukon had stickers in back window, red rims, black license plates but did not obtain plate numbers. Man said the woman had dark hair and was described as heavier set. Complainant said he followed the vehicle and confronted driver then argument ensued. Complainant then said the woman sped off and complainant was scared. Unknown why complainant didn’t call it in right away as it was now approximately 10 minutes time delay. Complainant wanted charges filed. The officer explained they would attempt to find the vehicle but without license plate numbers they would not have much to go on. Complainant was still upset. The officer left to go find vehicle but was unable to locate any matching. This sounded like a road rage incident and no other half to speak to.
Aug. 25
12:50 p.m. Collision. I-94/CR 2. An officer was originally dispatched to a crash at College of St. Benedict. They arrived and both parties told them they were on the off-ramp of I-94 when vehicle 2 thought vehicle 1 had turned. Vehicle 1 did not and vehicle 2 hit the back of vehicle 1. They were exiting the westbound off-ramp to go north on CR 2. The officer told his sergeant he would write the incident later once he found out if state patrol officer had already handled. Info exchange to be mailed.
Aug. 28
2:21 a.m. 911 hang-up. College Avenue S. Officers responded to the area of for a 911 hang up, arrived and saw a woman and her sister in back of a squad care. Woman said roommate was upset and wanted the sister to leave the apartment. The woman said the sister was her guest. Roommate said he was going to sleep in his vehicle. Units were called back to find sister had left and peace was restored.
Aug. 29
11:47 a.m. Assault. Minnesota Street W. Officers were dispatched to an assault report at St. Joseph private school. Staff reported two teens on bikes were riding through the property, causing a scene and refused to leave. When confronted, teen 1 kicked complainant. Staff did not want anything done other than have teens removed. One officer located the teens and spoke with them. Teen 1 said he was defending himself and teen 2 said he was never on the property and only video recorded the incident. Officer viewed the video and it showed complainant tried to catch teen 1 and stop the bike. Complainant was walking the bike off property. Teen 1 fell off the bike, kicked complainant and took his bike back. Trespass notices given to the teens. Teen 1’s mom and teen 1’s grandma were notified.
