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MPD HIGHLIGHTS for the week of 2 June – 8 June 2009

CITYWIDE TRENDS

The MPLS total violent crime rate is 17.7% lower in this year-to-date period than in 2008.

MPLS has had 4 homicides this year to date (71.4% decrease from YTD 2008).

Robberies 27.6% decrease this year-to-date.

Aggravated assaults fell by 10% year-to-date compared with this YTD in 2008.

Rape has decreased by 5.9% this year-to-date over last year-to-date.

Total property crimes decreased 15% in this year-to-date period.

Burglaries decreased 6% YTD compared to YTD in 2008.

Arson has increased 7% YTD over 2008.

A total of 273 weapons have been placed into evidence thus far in 2009.

1st PRECINCT

2nd PRECINCT

3rd PRECINCT

4th PRECINCT

5th PRECINCT

Lyndale Av/Laurel Av:

Several people living in a camp near 394 were involved in a fight. The suspect assaulted the victim with a brick and with a piece of rebar. The victim had several lacerations on his head. The suspect was gone when officers arrived.

CID investigating

2800 blk Johnson NE & 2600 blk Central NE:

The same suspect robbed two pharmacies at gunpoint. Loss was several thousand dollars of Oxycontin. Surveillance camera footage captured; clearly shows suspect who has been identified but is not yet in custody.

CID investigating

41 St E/Snelling Av S:

Officers responded to a call of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found shell casings and a possible scene. Crime Lab processed this scene and recovered the shell casings. Several witnesses came forward with information, which was documented.

Precinct investigating

29 Av N/Dupont Av N:

Officers were dispatched to a person with gun call. A silver car was about to leave when it was stopped by officers.  Suspect 1 was driving; Suspect 2 was in rear with 2 children: a 4 year old and a 3 y ear old.  Suspect 1 stuffed a baggie into the 4 year child’s pants before cuffed. Suspect 1 began to flail, resisting a search. Officer was bit in upper thigh.  Suspect 1 then denied the children were hers.  Suspected crack cocaine and marijuana were found.  The children were taken to St. Joe’s. Arrested/ASSAULT 4, NARCOTICS

CID investigating

31 St E/1 Av S:

Officer was dispatched to an attempt pick up on an individual with a warrant. Upon arrival, officer was informed that a bailbondsman had identified himself as a police officer in order to gain entry to the building. Suspect was cited and released for IMPERSONATING A POLICE OFFICER.

Case closed

13 St/Hennepin Av S:

Victim was riding his bike on Hennepin when he was confronted by an unknown suspect. This suspect then struck the victim multiple times, knocking him off the bike, and then chased him down the street. Two witnesses stepped in to try to protect the victim and were also assaulted. The suspect then rode away on the victim’s bike. Another witness was able to stop and detain the suspect until officers arrived. Arrested/

ROBBERY of PERSON

CID investigating

1800 blk University NE:

Officers responded to a prowler call and stopped two suspects for theft from autos in the area.  One of the suspects was holding a laptop that he tried to ditch after seeing officers.  That suspect was arrested; the other was ID’d and released.  Officers discovered that the suspects had taken the laptop from a burglary of an apartment.  The suspects also took items from seven vehicles in the area.

Precinct investigating

3400 blk Portland Av S:

Officers were dispatched to a call of a large fight outside an apartment building. As officers arrived, they were informed that the victim had been cut with a boxcutter. Officers identified and arrested three suspects involved. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries. Arrested/ASSAULT 2

CID investigating

47 Av N/Aldrich Av N:

Victim was walking home from a bar when he was knocked to the ground by two suspects.  Victim’s wallet was taken, which included his MN driver’s license, Social Security card, and a $20 gas card.

CID investigating

50 St E/Wentworth Av:

Victim was walking home when he was approached from behind by four suspects. He felt a gun placed against his back and was threatened. The suspects asked for his iPod and his wallet, which he gave to them. Suspects then fled the area and were not located by responding officers.

CID investigating

Investigations Units ~ Special Operations ~ Joint Task Forces ~ Support Operations

Child Abuse

Cases: 23 cases routed

Charged: First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct: The child victims in this case have reported to several agencies on at least 4 different occasions that their step-father/grandfather had been sexually assaulting them. In the latest report from the suspect’s 8 year old biological daughter she alleges that he had molested her in Minneapolis. Her adult step-sister also came forward during this investigation and disclosed that when she was between the ages of 14–18 years of age he had sexually assaulted her also. Sgt. Dea investigated and got him charged.

Training: Sgt. Schmid attended a Sex Crime/Child Abuse seminar in Appleton, Wisconsin, for the week. This course focused on sexual child abuse investigations and was presented by the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit as well as other law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S.

Domestic Assault/ Vulnerable Adult

Investigating: The Arrested Party (AP) and victim live together and the victim is pregnant with the AP's child. The AP got angry at the victim over getting cable. The AP choked the victim on her bed and also waved a butcher knife threatening to kill her. The victim did sustain visible injuries on her face and throat areas. The AP was arrested at the scene and booked HCJ for Domestic Assault Strangulation.

Investigating: Officers were dispatched to a stabbing and, upon arrival, located the victim who was in the bathroom.  The victim had a stab wound to his torso and had lost a large amount of blood due to the fact that he had been lying in the bathroom bleeding for at least six hours prior to the arrival of the officers.  The officers located the female AP in a nearby apartment.  The AP told officers that she had been in a fight with the victim who is her boyfriend. The AP stated that she stabbed the victim after he had attempted to set her on fire. The victim is in a comatose state at HCMC and was listed in critical condition.

Robbery Unit

Cases: 12 cases Robbery of Person, 4 assigned; 15 cases Aggravated Robbery (including Auto), 2 assigned; 0 Robberies of Business, 0 assigned; 2 cases unfounded; 0 cases closed by arrest; 1 case exceptionally cleared; 4 cases transferred to another unit; 14 cases open pending further info; 4 cases open

Investigating: Robbery of Person: 2100 Bloomington Av: Tenant assaulted and robbed by another tenant in the apartment building’s hallway. Incident captured on video. Case assigned to Sgt. Carlson, who obtained both a video from the caretaker and an ID on the suspect, who also lives in the building.

Investigating: Robbery of Person: Ewing Av S/31 St W: Female victim who was getting into her car, accompanied by her 9-year-old daughter, was robbed by an unknown suspect described as a black male, 5’9” with a light build. Handgun implied. Suspect fled with the victim’s purse.

Sex Crimes Unit

Cases: 25 cases routed; 16 assigned

Investigating: Luring: 57th St E/Dupont Av S: A 9 year old female was playing at this location when the suspect drove up near her in a grey/silver colored Volvo SUV. He was described as a while male, about 25 years old, wearing a pink shirt and blue jeans and black framed glasses. He had long brown hair worn in a pony tail and had a mustache that may have been connected to side burns but had no chin hair. The victim said the suspect said, "Come in the car and you can play in a movie." Neighborhood alerts and media have been advised. No other similar cases at this point.

Investigating: CSCR Attempt & Robbery: 12th Av S/44th St E: Two victims were walking in the area when they were approached by an unknown black male who displayed a handgun. Suspect demanded their personal property. Suspect told one of the victims to leave and he attempted to bring one of the victims into an alley where he attempted a CSCR. Suspect fled the scene. Sgt. Villella will meet with the victims and plans to issue a composite to the media.

Investigating: CSC Solicitation of a Minor: 2200 blk Bloomington Av S: The suspect sent a text message to the juvenile female victim propositioning her for sex. Suspect had been identified and was arrested on 6/9/2009. Sgt. Martinson is investigating and charges are pending.

Predatory Offender Registration

PORS initiated 5 new CAPRS cases of Failure to register. 3 complaints were signed. 3 cases were submitted for charging review. Current total non-compliant in Minneapolis: 130 (130 the previous week)

Total Offenders who reside, work or go to school in Minneapolis is 2,036 (Last week 2046) Total number of level 3 offenders in Minneapolis: 114 (110 last week)

Special Operations Division

Traffic & Accident Investigations Unit: Traffic Officers made 804 stops last week (22 percent increase over last week) and of those stops, issued 881 citations (31 percent increase over last week) and made 41 arrests.  Officers also investigated 19 accidents; Accident Investigations assigned 31 cases.

Pedestrian Accident: 25 St E/Portland Av S: Officers responded to a crash involved a vehicle striking a 78 yr old pedestrian who was walking eastbound across Portland Ave S. The victim was thrown approx 40 feet after impact. The victim was transported to HCMC. The scene was measured.

Bomb Unit: 50 Av N/Basset Creek Dr: Assisted Golden Valley PD, HCSO and the ATF where a pipe bomb had detonated and caused a house fire. A robot was used to search the building and the flooded basement for secondary devices and was also used to examine a suspicious package that was found by fire investigators. ▪ Responded to assist the Park Police with a suspicious package. The bag was x-rayed and cleared. ▪ 52 Av N/Dupont Av N: Assisted Golden Valley and the ATF with a search warrant for explosives and IED components.

Public Housing Unit: Officers conducted casework on 2 pending eviction cases. Precinct 3: Officers conducted stairwell checks in the south side high rises. Precinct 4: Contacted north high rise property managers. ▪ Conducted building checks of North high rises. ▪ Assisted north side squads with call for service. ▪ Bryant North: Aired as person being held against her will and being burned with cigarettes. Male arrested for Domestic and warrant. ▪ Bryant North: While at location, another domestic fight from a different apartment in same building took place outside; female party arrested.

SWAT: SWAT/SOD Patrol is conducting a 2nd Basic SWAT school this week with 29 officers from 10 different agencies. This school also includes 4 MPD officers that have recently joined the SWAT team. ▪ Warrant served in the 2700 blk Morgan Av N. 4.5 grams marijuana, ¼ ounce crack, and $1100 recovered. 2 booked for PC Narcotics; 4 cited for Disorderly House.

SOD Patrol: Answered or initiated 182 calls; made 120 traffic/suspicious vehicle stops (31 percent increase over last week), 21 suspicious person stops; made 47 misdemeanor arrests; 7 gross misdemeanor/felony arrests.

Precinct 4: Officers assisted on a shots call at 27th and Bryant Ave N and helped street officers in arresting one juvenile male that had a 9mm in his front pants pocket. ▪ Officers made a suspicious person stop in the 2400 block of Lyndale Ave N, found one with a gross misdemeanor warrant and was booked. ▪ Officer had a suspect run from him at 28th and Colfax Ave N when the officer observed the suspect throw an item during the foot chase. Male was found in his house but officers could not find the item thrown. AP1 was booked for flee on foot.

K9 Bullets: 4500 blk Aldrich Av N: K9 team made an attempt pick up of a suspect wanted on an outstanding felony warrant. Suspect taken into custody. ▪ 15/Girard Av N: K9 officer observed two suspicious parties in the alley. K9 officer stopped both and identified them. One suspect was booked on an outstanding felony warrant. ▪ 19/Pierce St NE: K9 team assisted 2nd Precinct officers who were chasing a suspect wanted in a damage to property. K9 tracked and located the suspect, who was taken into custody. ▪ Franklin/Park Av S: K9 officer observed an occupied stolen vehicle. Vehicle stopped, two suspects booked into HCJ.

Juvenile Division

Investigations:

Cases: 71 routed; 28 assigned

Investigating: Assault: 35 St/Central Av NE: Victim stated he was shot at by the suspect and his vehicle was hit in the front left tire. The suspect vehicle was recovered in Anoka County. Sgt. Waletzki was assigned to investigate.

Investigating: Robbery: 37th St E/29th Av S: The suspects punched the victim in the face and stole her purse. Suspects fled. Sgt. Waletzki was assigned the case. Metro Transit digital video footage for the 38th St light rail platform was recovered and viewed for possible leads.

Charged: Assault 5: Bloomington Av S/Franklin: Six suspects assaulted the victim and the victim’s money was stolen. One suspect was arrested by precinct officers. The case was assigned to Sgt. Sauer. The suspect was charged with 5th Degree Assault by the County Attorney.

School Resource Officers:

HIGH SCHOOLS: South: Assault 5. Southwest: Noise Ordinance.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS: Anthony: Assault 5; Crisis. Harrison: Disorderly Conduct. Harry Davis: Assault 5; Obstruct Legal Process. Northeast: Assault 5. Pillsbury: Knife in School. Sanford: Assault 5.

Highlight: The School Resource Officers have their hands full this week as they prepare for the end of the year festivities. Students are at times not in compliance with school policies or the law.

Forensic Division

Photo Lab1096 photos created; 89 evidentiary photos processed; 6 rolls of film processed; 99 CDs copied; 105 photo CDs back up.

FirearmsExamined: 19 guns; 3 bullet; 36 discharged casings; 21 IBIS entries.

Field OperationsProcessed 33 crime scenes and 452 items of evidence.

Examined 76 latents, identifying 33 latents and 7 suspects.  Made 17 MAFIN entries with 7 hits.

Highlight: 09-169115 Shooting: recovered a cell phone and developed a print on it; MAFIN entry resulted in a hit identifying the suspect.

Forensic Garage6 vehicles processed.

MAFIN11 MAFIN entries made with 7 hits.  675 reverse searches and 313 comparisons.  800 adult cards and 14 juvenile cards added.

Highlights: 09-118099 hit on CSCR case. ▪ Five hits on five separate theft cases from 2003.

VideoAnalyzed 7 video/cd/dvds; made 7 video copies; 36 still prints and 5 photo discs.

Computer Forensics5 new requests for forensics media examinations.  28 examinations pending.  1 media examination completed.  73 on going pro-active examinations related to child pornography.

Highlights:  12 Subpoenas sent to internet providers to ID Child Porn distributors.

5 Child pornography cases referred or prepared for investigation

Motor Vehicle Theft Program

Investigating: Bait vehicles were deployed last week and there was an activation in 4th Precinct. The tape will be reviewed to see if a suspect can be identified.

Investigating: 3 recovered stolen vehicles were processed for evidence.

MPD/ATF Weapons Task Force

Investigating: The MPD/ATF Weapons Task Force assigned 4 cases for investigation, 4 cases were presented, 2 cases were charged, 1 case is awaiting charges and 1 case was deferred.

Indictment: Our ATF partners federally indicted an individual from one of our 2008 weapons cases.

Support Services

Processed: 1067 Property Inventories; 409 Booking Sheets

CODEFOR PATTERNS & ACTIONS

1st Precinct: Overall violent crime is 1.59% lower than at this time in 2008. Property crime rates decreased 19.86% compared to the same time frame in 2008.

2nd Precinct: Total violent crimes have decreased 22.35% over this time frame last year; overall property crime is down 5.22%.

3rd Precinct: Violent crime fell 21% year-to-date compared with last year. Property crime fell 24.78% YTD in 2009 compared to 2008.

     

4th Precinct: Violent crimes decreased 8.82% YTD compared to 2008. Property crime increased 1.18% YTD compared to last year.

5th Precinct: Violent crime rates have decreased by 36.1% over last year at this time. Property crimes have decreased 18.8% thus far in 2009.

Media Highlight: KSTP-TV: “Donate Blood for Minneapolis or St. Paul