West metro police blotter

Last update: May 19, 2009 - 4:03 PM

CHASKA

APRIL 20

Drunken driving. Police responded to a report that a car had rolled over and crashed on Millpond Court. The vehicle was found in a ravine, lying on its hood, and it was unoccupied. A short time later, officers heard breaking branches coming from a wooded area near the crash site. Officers searched the area and found a 47-year-old man lying on the ground. He told officers he had gotten lost while he was in the woods and decided to get some sleep; later he changed his story and admitted he was the driver of the crashed vehicle. He said he was trying to light a cigarette while driving and swerved to avoid hitting a raccoon in the road. Police said the man appeared intoxicated, and he was taken to the hospital. Charges for driving while intoxicated were pending, awaiting the results of a blood test.

APRIL 28

Fire. A fire broke out at a home on the 180 block of Judith Drive. Neighbors who were outside heard fire alarms going off, and three men entered the house and removed a man who was suffering from smoke inhalation. The man had fallen asleep in his chair while smoking. The three neighbors who saved the man are Corey Bell, 22; Blake Griffin, 19, and Joseph Nelson, 28. They will be honored at an upcoming city council meeting by Chaska Fire Chief Tim Wiebe and Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight.

CORCORAN

APRIL 18

Disturbing the peace. Police responded to a call at 1:46 a.m. on the 7800 block of Maple Hill Road. There was a tractor plowing a field and the caller could not sleep. The officer could see that the farmer was nearly done plowing the field but was unable to get the farmer's attention.

APRIL 28

Suspicious vehicle. Someone reported a suspicious vehicle at 3:53 a.m. near County Road 116 and Hillside Drive. An officer found a newspaper delivery person sleeping inside.

EDEN PRAIRIE

APRIL 26

Theft. Computer equipment was stolen from a business on the 6500 block of City West Parkway.

EXCELSIOR

MARCH 31

Lost. A woman reported leaving her wallet on top of her car when she was at the BP gas station at 400 Water St., then driving off. She did not find the wallet.

APRIL 2

Drugs. Police responded to a report of drugs on the 200 block of School Avenue. Arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia were an 18-year-old Excelsior man, a 17-year-old Hopkins boy and two 15-year-old Excelsior boys. A 15-year-old Shorewood boy was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a small amount of marijuana. A 20-year-old Excelsior man was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

Suspicious vehicle. Someone reported there were two vehicles and two people dressed in black at the gates of Clay Cliffe near County Road 19. Police responded and found they were paper carriers.

GREENWOOD

APRIL 4

Property damage. A homeowner from the 21400 block of Fairview Street reported that the previous night someone had knocked on the patio door and left a bag of dog feces on fire on the deck.

HOPKINS

APRIL 27

Burglary. Someone broke into a home on the 100 block of Washington Avenue N. and stole some jewelry.

MINNEAPOLIS

APRIL 17

Assault. Police said a 42-year-old woman was hit with a beer bottle by a 37-year-old woman on the 3000 block of Logan Avenue N. The victim was hit more than a dozen times and had significant head and face injuries. The two women are friends and were arguing over money, police said.

Susan Hilliard • 612-673-7131 Items are selected from reports made to police and are not intended to provide a comprehensive picture of crime.

Recent West Metro stories

Correction - May 19, 2009

Correction - A story in last week's West Extra section incorrectly reported the amount of money that the estate of Arnold Meleen donated to Dunwoody College for a scholarship fund. The amount was less than $50,000, a Dunwoody spokesman said. More