ROSEVILLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Officer Lowther spoke with kids at Northern Voices School and gave them a close
up look at a squad.
May - 2016
Monthly summary
On the following pages we highlight a few of the more notable
cases along with statistical information. We also will highlight
various ways we are connecting with the community and how
volunteers play a role in policing. If there is anything you have
questions on please feel free to contact us for more information.
Roseville Police Department – Monthly Summary
1.
PATROL INCIDENT SUMMARIES
Felony Assault of a Police Officer
Date: 04-25-2016
Time: 1830
Location: RESTRICTED
CN: 16011818
Officers were dispatched on a violently out of control 15-year-old female. Officers are familiar with this
juvenile as they have been called 14 times in four years to deal with her escalating behaviors. Upon
arrival Officers located the female inside the home. She was verbally hostile and swearing at Officers.
Officer Steinberg attempted to speak with the juvenile as Officer Cox spoke with the mother who was
crying and distraught. The mother stated her daughter had gotten into a fight at school and had to be
restrained by school staff, when they got home she was out of control kicking the car, screaming,
threatening to kill her sister, and throwing items. Officer Cox was familiar with her history, tendency for
violence, diagnosis with Reactive Attachment Disorder, and dislike of/violence towards medics and
police. On 02/03/12, Officers Jorgensen and Cox had to physically restrain her and handcuff her when
she actively and violently fought their efforts to bring her outside to an ambulance for transport to a
hospital. Officer Steinberg was able to talk the juvenile into coming to the door, but she repeatedly
stated she did not want to go to the hospital and would not go willingly. When she stepped outside she
began running. Officer Cox chased her and ordered her to stop. She stopped and turned around facing
him in a fighting stance. He told her to sit on the curb and she said “make me”. He took control of her
right arm and she attempted to get away and struck him in the face. With Officer Steinberg’s help they
attempted to get her handcuffed all the while she attempted to bite and spit on Officer Steinberg.
Officers got her handcuffed and told her they would assist her up off the ground. She replied she would
not cooperate and she continued to kick, spit and attempt to bite them, at one point she told them she
would kill them, and at another point she began grabbing for items on Officer Cox’s duty belt. Officers
Marston and Jones arrived and placed a spit hood on the juvenile, she continued to struggle and fight the
entire time, eventually she chewed through the spit hood, laughed, spit and attempted to bite Officers
Jones and Marston. A second spit hood was applied. Officers held her arms and legs while medics
applied soft restraints and together they lifted her onto the gurney. One juvenile female from Roseville
was transported to the hospital and later charged with Felony 4th Degree Assault on a Police Officer,
GM 4th Degree Assault, GM Obstructing with Force, and Misdemeanor Fleeing Police on Foot. Since this
call in April, Officers responded to the home two more times in May for similar issues. Ultimately this
juvenile was placed in a residential treatment center by her family.
Theft / Obstructing
Date: 05-05-2016
Time: 1440
Location: Gordman’s; 1663 Co Rd B2
CN: 16012869
Officer Nelson responded to the business on a report of an adult female suspect removing security
sensors from merchandise and concealing them in her purse. Dispatch updated the suspect had paid for
a few small items, then exited the business without paying for the concealed items and left in a Mercedes
SUV. Officer Johnson was in the area and observed the suspect vehicle leaving the parking lot at a high
rate of speed, he activated his lights and siren and followed the vehicle. He estimates the vehicle was
traveling 50+ MPH in the back alley of the mall as it turned onto Fairview Avenue and accelerated, then
quickly entered the Half Price Books parking lot and parked. He approached the vehicle and opened
the driver’s side door. The suspect asked him why she was being stopped and he told her for theft and
to step out of the vehicle. Instead of exiting the vehicle she reached into her purse, for fear she was
grabbing a weapon he took ahold of her arm and tried to pull her out of the vehicle. She continued to
pull away from him as she reached into her purse, she then grabbed his arm and tried to release his grip.
Officer Nelson arrived and they were able to pull her out and handcuff her. A search of her purse
recovered multiple stolen clothing items, three yellow MN DL papers in her wallet with different names on
each. She stated they were friends and relatives of hers and she had them because they all went out
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Roseville Police Department – Monthly Summary
drinking the night before. When officers ran the DL numbers listed they came back to different names
than listed on the papers. Officer Holtmeier transported the Gordman’s employee to the scene who
positively identified the suspect as the same female she witnessed in the store stealing the items. The total
value of items stolen was $147.00. One adult female from St. Paul was arrested for Theft and GM
Obstructing Legal Process with Force.
Weapons / Disorderly Conduct
Date: 05-13-2016
Time: 2314
Location: 2900 Block of Albert
CN: 16013756
Officers were requested to a residence by a mother asking for assistance in removing her drunk,
emotionally disturbed adult son from her house due to his belligerent and aggressive behavior. The
complainant told Dispatch her son knew she had called the police and would fight with officers. Sgt.
Adams spoke with the mother who stated her son was extremely intoxicated and had gotten into an
argument with her husband, he then went into his room where he “cocked” his Glock handgun. She stated
he almost always carries his gun in his waistband and that he also has access to an AR-15 rifle. She
described his behavior as almost psychotic and more violent than ever before. Officers were outside the
home and observed the suspect come to the front door several times and yelled various obscenities and
said “bring it”. Officers could see he was holding a dark object in his hand but they were unable to
determine if it was a weapon. He then went to the backyard and flipped over a table and yelled again
“come on, bring it!” Officers could see him inside his bedroom throwing items around and swinging what
appeared to be a baseball bat violently around. Officers determined no crime had occurred and the
family agreed to go stay somewhere else for the night and let their son sleep it off. They were advised
to call 911 if they heard anything else from the suspect. Officer Parkos contacted the complainant the
next day to discuss what had occurred the night before. She said she had brought her son to the hospital
where he is being placed in psychiatric care and that they have removed all firearms from the home.
Shots Fired
Date: 05-20-2016
Time: 2048
Location: Snelling & Lydia
CN: 16014420
Officers were dispatched to the area on a shots fired call. Multiple callers stated two vehicles were
actively shooting at each other. One vehicle was described as a black Chevy SUV and the other a black
Chrysler 300, they were heading south on Snelling. Officers responded to the area and the vehicles
were gone. Sgt. Adams located a black GMC Denali driving evasively in the area and they performed
a stop on the vehicle but it was later determined this was not the correct vehicle. Officers located spent
shell casings from a .40 caliber handgun. Officers spoke with several complainants/witnesses who stated
they were on Snelling near the Hamline Avenue intersection when they observed the SUV pull up next to
the sedan, someone stood out of the sunroof of the SUV and started shooting at the sedan. The suspects
were not located.
Terroristic Threats
Date: 05-22-2016
Time: 1308
Location: Motel 6; 2300 Cleveland Ave.
CN: 16014684
Officers were dispatched to the Motel 6 regrading three males, one armed with a gun, assaulting Motel
employees in the parking lot. Officers were then advised the males had fled in a vehicle. Officer
Stefani located and stopped the vehicle nearby and other officers responded to assist in the high risk
stop. All three occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody without incident. Officer Parkos spoke
with the two employees who stated they observed the suspects in the parking lot yelling at motel guests.
They recognized one of the suspects as he is on their “no rent list” because of a history of damaging
rooms and being verbally hostile towards motel staff. They said despite his inability to rent a room, he
always finds a way in by having friends rent rooms or using false information. The employees went
outside to find out what was going on, the suspects then turned their aggression towards the employees.
The employees told them to leave and began walking back inside the motel office. The suspects
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Roseville Police Department – Monthly Summary
attempted to push their way into the office and prevented the employees from closing the door. One
employee heard the known suspect yell “I’m going to get the gun” to the other suspects and she observed
him retrieve something from the trunk of the car and place it in his waistband. The employees both
feared for their safety. The other suspects then said let’s go and they all left in the vehicle. Officers
transported the victims to the area of the traffic stop where they positively identified the suspects.
Officers did not locate a gun in the vehicle. The suspect with the “gun” stated he was at the motel to
drop off his sister’s laptop when the argument with employees began. He admitted to saying he was
getting a gun but said he didn’t have a gun, he just put a can of hairspray in his waistband to make it
look like he had a gun. After booking the suspects at jail they were notified by jail staff that two of the
suspects had been transported to Regions on a possible drug overdose and that in the other suspect’s
belongings was a wadded up dollar bill with a white substance in it. The substance tested positive for
cocaine. Three adult males, two from Minneapolis and one from St. Paul, were arrested for Felony
Terroristic Threats and 5th Degree Violation of Controlled Substance Law.
Domestic
Date: 05-22-2016
Time: 0435
Location: Red Roof Inn; 2401 Prior Avenue
CN: 16014643
Officers were dispatched to the Motel on a male punching his girlfriend. Information was given that the
suspect is known to carry guns and knives and would flee from officers. Officers Eckert and Weber
arrived and knocked on the room door. Officers could hear a loud crack as if something plastic was
being snapped or cracked. Officer Eckert believe it could be the window to the room and he ran to
intercept the suspect if he was fleeing. Officer Eckert observed the window was open and the screen
was dangling outside. He did not see the suspect in the immediate area. Officers began setting up a
perimeter when they were notified by Ramsey County that the suspect had a felony narcotics warrant.
Officer Weber observed the suspect male running near the 1900 block of Co Rd B2 and apprehended
him with the assistance of other officers without incident. Officer Weber located marijuana in the suspects
pocket. Initially he lied about jumping out the window but ultimately admitted to it because he didn’t
want to get arrested on the warrant. Officer Wiesner interviewed the victim who initially stated she
didn’t know why the police were there, denied knowing the suspect and gave false information as to who
she was. He then spoke with the victim’s sister (who originally called 911) and she told officers that the
suspect grabbed the victim and threw her to the ground and she ran to call 911 and she could hear what
sounded like the suspect punching the victim. One adult male from Shakopee was arrested for 5th
Degree Domestic Assault and a Felony warrant for marijuana sale out of Otter Tail County.
2. INVESTIGATIONS
CN 16011376 – Robbery: On 4/21/16, Officers were dispatched to Sarpino’s on an armed robbery
that had just occurred. Officers Weber & Hicke arrived at the business and spoke with the two
employees. One employee stated he was making a pizza when a suspect, later identified as K.C., snuck
up from behind and held a knife to the side of his neck as he directed him towards the cash register. The
other employee reported a second suspect, later identified as Jacob Swanstrom, produced a
semiautomatic pistol from his waistband, racked its slide and approached him from behind. Swanstrom
held a gun to the back of his head while directing him to the cash register. The suspects then stole several
hundred dollars from the cash register, $250 cash from one victim’s pocket and $20 cash from the other
victim’s wallet. Officers obtained detailed descriptions of the suspects and viewed surveillance video
which shows one suspect, not wearing gloves, touch the front door. Officers contacted Ramsey County to
have a crime scene processor assist in lifting the prints. Squads and K9 checked the area with negative
results. At approximately 0036 hours St. Anthony Police were dispatched in their city on a suspicious
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Roseville Police Department – Monthly Summary
activity report with two suspects looking inside houses. The two suspects matched the description of the
robbery suspects from Sarpino’s. Det. Ganley was assigned this case for follow up. Det. Ganley
recognized both suspects by their unique clothing combination from a Plymouth PD crime alert that was
sent out on 4/22/16. The alert contained numerous still images from a robbery that occurred at a gas
station in Plymouth where the suspects
were wearing the exact same clothing.
Det. Ganley also learned that St Cloud
PD had arrested the pair wearing the
same clothing during an armed robbery
of Super America. Det. Ganley traveled
to the Benton Co Jail and met with
Swanstrom, who initially denied any
involvement in the robbery. When
confronted with overwhelming evidence
he admitted that he told the victim not to
move and stay calm. After taking the
money, he told them both to go to the
back room and count to 10. Det. Ganley
traveled to Prairie Lakes Youth Center
and met with K.C. Det. Ganley
immediately noticed that K.C. was
wearing the same shoes he had on during
the robbery, as seen in the video. When
asked about the robbery, K.C. started
crying and admitted to telling the victim
“don’t move.” He said he was going
through a difficult time and has made
some very poor decisions. On 5/26/16,
Swanstrom was charged with two counts
of Aggravated Robbery in the 1st
Degree. On 6/7/16, K.C., a 16-year-old
male from St Cloud was charged in
juvenile court with two counts of Felony 1st
Degree Aggravated Robbery. He is
expected to be certified as an adult.
CN 16014348 - Terroristic Threats: On 5/19/16, Officers Craven & Johnson were dispatched to the
1800 block of Lexington Ave on an out of control 65-year-old female. The 95-year-old victim fled the
home and was at North Star Bank where an employee was calling 911 for him. Upon arrival, the victim
informed officers that Jeanne Pederson had just threatened him at his residence. She was in a rage and
had threatened him the night before by making stabbing motions at him with a knife sharpener. That
morning she came right up close to his face and told him she wanted to stab him repeatedly, spread his
blood all over and pour salt in his wounds so he would hurt as bad as she does. The victim escaped out
the back door and went to the bank as he knew she wouldn’t allow him to leave. He stated Pederson has
significant mental health issues and is known to “go crazy” at times. Officers located Pederson at the
residence and arrested her. She was charged in custody with Felony Threats of Violence.
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Roseville Police Department – Monthly Summary
CN 16015112 – Criminal Sexual Conduct: On 5/25/16, Officer Jennings & Sgt. Engh responded to
the 2800 block of Pascal St on a report of sexual assault. The victim told officers there was a knock at
her door, she went to the door and a B/M suspect informed her it was the cable company. She had been
having issues with her cable that day, so she opened the door. The suspect was armed with a knife.
He grabbed her by the neck pushing her back into the apartment and to the living room floor. The
suspect cut her clothes off with the knife. She remembers asking the suspect not to do this, he told her to
shut up, and if she screamed he would kill her. He then raped her and cut her face with the knife. While
speaking to officers, she was scared, crying, and refused medical attention out of fear. It was later
determined that she used a false name when first reporting as she was terrified of the suspect finding out
she called police. Det. Baker was made aware of this call and assigned the case for follow up. On
5/26/16, Det. Baker met with the victim. She explained in detail what happened to her and apologized
several times for initially reporting a false name but said it was out of fear she would be killed. She
went on to tell Det. Baker that she knew her attacker. She has known the suspect for 5 years and
recently tried to break off the relationship. On 5/25/16, the suspect showed up at her apartment and
said he was with the cable company. When she opened the door, he immediately shoved her, knocking
her onto the floor. She then reiterated the information stated above. Det. Baker has identified the
suspect and continues to search for him. Case is ongoing.
CN 15002201 – Felon in Possession of Firearm: On 1/26/15, St Paul Police responded to the area of
Dale St and Larpenteur Ave regarding a gun-pointing incident. SPPD Officers spoke with the victim,
DMC, who stated she was alone in her vehicle traveling south on Dale St from Co Rd B. The vehicle
behind her, a GMC Envoy was following extremely close and then sped around her, stopping for a red
light at Dale and Larpenteur. DMC stopped her vehicle next to the Envoy in the left lane. The driver of
the Envoy pointed an over-under shotgun out the driver’s window at DMC. She asked the driver, “Are
you going to shoot me?” The driver stated, “I can do whatever I want.” The driver of the Envoy then fled
south on Dale at a high rate of speed. The victim described the driver as a black male in his 30’s and
she was also able to record the license plate. Ramsey Co Dispatch confirmed that the plate belonged to
a 2002 GMC Envoy and registered to Chaka Smith of St Paul. On 1/27/15, SPPD Officers stopped the
Envoy in St Paul. The driver, Smith was taken in to custody. During a search of the vehicle, Officers
recovered a red shotgun shell which appeared to be for an airsoft rifle. In a post-Miranda interview,
Smith admitted he was on Dale St the previous day, after seeing a movie in Roseville, but denied
knowing anything about a road rage incident. On 1/28/15, Det. Kim was advised by SPPD that they
took a report of a gun pointing incident that actually occurred in Roseville. The case was then transferred
to Roseville Investigations. Det. Kim constructed a photo lineup and Officer Reski administered the lineup
to the victim, DMC. The victim selected Smith with 100% certainty. Det. Kim then interviewed the victim
and she confirmed the events that SPPD had originally reported. DMC stated she was “in shock” and was
shaking during the incident. She said, “He could have really taken my life.” A criminal history check
revealed that Chaka Smith was convicted of 2nd Degree Murder in Hennepin Co in 2002 and served
several years in prison. Det. Kim contacted the property owner of Smith’s current address and confirmed
he rented there. Det. Kim then authored a search warrant for the residence. On 1/28/15, several
Roseville Detectives and Officers from SPPD executed a search warrant on the 40 block of Lawson in St
Paul. During the search, officers located a black airsoft rifle in the garage which matched the description
provided by the victim. The nose of this airsoft gun appeared to have been colored black, which gave it
the appearance of a real firearm. During the warrant, a female roommate, Jessica Anich arrived home.
She told officers that she was with Smith in his vehicle on 1/26/15 when a female cut them off with her
vehicle. She stated that Smith pulled the airsoft gun out and set it on his lap. She denied that he pointed
the gun at the other driver. Officers seized narcotics, a large amount of cash, several replica handguns,
and a safe containing a holster and ammunition but no firearm. Anich eventually admitted that she knew
police were coming, as her landlord notified her after receiving a call from Det. Kim. Due to her and
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Roseville Police Department – Monthly Summary
Smith being convicted felons, Anich removed a Glock .45 handgun from the above listed safe and took it
to a friend’s apartment before officer’s arrival. After the search warrant, Detectives Ganley and Kim
traveled to the LEC to interview Smith. Smith initially denied any involvement in a road rage incident.
When confronted with the victim’s account of what happened, Smith denied pointing or possessing a gun.
When shown a photo of the gun found in his garage, he said, “it’s not mine but it’s in my possession.”
Smith refused to provide a DNA sample. On 1/29/15, Det. Kim authored a search warrant for Smith’s
DNA, then later went to the LEC and executed the warrant, collecting Smith’s DNA. Det. Kim went to the
jail and took custody of Smith’s cell phone. A search warrant was authored and executed on the phone,
putting Smith in the area of the gun pointing incident at the time. DNA analysis was conducted of swabs
taken from the top of the gun safe and it was determined the profile matched the DNA of Smith. On
5/27/16, Smith was charged with two counts of Possession of Firearm by an Ineligible Person. Each
charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years.
3. STATISTICS
Investigations Unit - Cases Assigned
May 2016
25
20
15
10
5
22
20
21
18
10
4
7
6
0
This table represents the cases each member of the Detectives Unit was assigned during the month.
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Roseville Police Department – Monthly Summary
The chart below represents the adult arrests and their reported addresses for felony, gross
misdemeanor, and misdemeanor crimes this month. *Ramsey and Hennepin County statistics do not
include St. Paul and Minneapolis arrests.
Adult Arrests - May 2016
Homeless, 1
Washington Co., 2
St. Paul, 30
Hennipin Co., 3
Dakota Co., 3
Out of State, 4
Minneapolis, 23
Out State, 7
Anoka Co., 11
Roseville, 12
This table shows selected calls for
service the Roseville Police Department
responded to during the month. It is not
inclusive of all calls for service.
Ramsey Co., 13
May 2016 Calls for Service
Crime Type
# of Calls
Alarms
125
Assault
8
Burglary
20
Community Outreach
577
Criminal Damage to Property
20
Domestic
13
DWI
4
Execution of a Search Warrant
Fights
7
Medical Assist
232
Proactive Police Visits
484
Robbery
2
Suspicious Activity
137
Traffic Accidents
103
Traffic Stop
243
Calls for Service in Month
3625
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Roseville Police Department – Monthly Summary
4.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
On Thursday May 12, Officers from the Roseville Police Department attended the Suburban Ramsey
County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony in
Maplewood.
CRC Yunke and Chief Mathwig attended Northeast Youth
and Family Services Annual Leadership Luncheon at Midland
Hills Country Club. Chief Mathwig presented and discussed
the importance of NYFS in Public Safety and community.
CRC Yunke, Chief Mathwig, Officer Vang, and CSO Tee
attended a community conversation and offered a Q&A
session hosted by the Lake McCarrons Neighborhood
Association.
CRC Yunke gave an ID Theft and Fraud Presentation to the
Roseville Historical Society
CRC Yunke, Chief Mathwig, Lt. Scheider, Lt. Williams,
Officer Chang, and Officer Steinberg hosted Coffee with a
Cop in the evening at J. Arthur’s on Rice St.
Officer Pitzl and Lieutenant Rosand
CRC Yunke attended the Gavel Club Volunteer Recognition and Award Dinner to recognize Sherry
Sanders and Former Community Development Director Craig Waldron.
CRC Yunke, Chief Mathwig, and Sarah Mahmud attended the Roseville Police Foundation Meeting. The
Foundation approved a request to help fund materials for Night to Unite.
Officer Pitzl handed out “You Got Caught” coupons for DQ to these young men for wearing helmets.
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Roseville Police Department – Monthly Summary
5. VOLUNTEERS
Roseville Police Department utilizes the assistance of volunteers in our everyday course of work. The
Reserve Unit are uniformed civilians who drive a marked squad and assist officers by directing traffic when
needed, transporting prisoners, etc. The Roseville Police Citizen Park Patrol enlists the help of several
residents to patrol our parks daily helping to deter crime and pass out information to park visitors. We
also have a steady stream of student interns who are helping us out by running errands for investigations,
assisting with paperwork for administration, analyzing statistical data and so much more.
2014 value of volunteer time in MN is $24.83
per hour. That is a value of $11,471 this
month alone!
Reserves and Park Patrol are actual hours. Interns is
an estimate of hours.
6.
TRAINING
The Roseville Police Department strives to have the highest trained officers and staff possible. Each
month our Officers and Staff attend countless hours of training on a variety of subjects. Training attend
this month:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
DMT-G Recertification
Micro Soft Excel
Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement
Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar
Minnesota Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
Street Officers Response to Civil Disputes
Street Officers Response to Family Disputes
Caliber Press: The Bullet Proof Warrior
Level One Leadership
Field Analysis of Drug Program
Anti-Social Media
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