COKATO, MN – A St. Paul man was arrested in Dassel Saturday and charged with theft from two gas stations along Highway 12 – Casey’s in Montrose and Cenex in Cokato, according to the Wright County Sheriff’s office.
Steven Duncan, 52, of St. Paul was arrested for what law enforcement call “quick change” at the two gas stations. Quick changes is when a person, in this case Duncan, uses a technique where they ask cashiers for change repeatedly confusing the cashier and therefore getting more cash than originally given.
While a Wright County deputy was investigating the theft of $50 to $80 stolen from the Montrose Casey’s, a cashier at the Cokato Cenex also reported a similar crime where the suspect obtained $60 of the store’s money. A liscence plate number and description of the vehicle was obtained and the suspect was stopped by a Meeker County deputy in Dassel.
Though this isn’t a real common crime, it does tend to happen occassionally, mostly on freeways and highways, according to Mike Even at the Wright County Sherriff’s office.
HUTCHINSON, MN — KDUZ Radio reported that Hutchinson police are looking for those responsible for puncturing dozens of tires at Valley Sales on Highway 7 in Hutchinson. Authorities say they received the initial report on Thanksgiving evening that 32 tires were punctured or slashed at the dealership, with estimated damage at $7,000.
MEEKER COUNTY, MN – Meeker County Sheriff Jeff Norlin announced Tuesday that the Meeker County
Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with Project Lifesaver, a national agency that works with LoJack SafetyNet for the tracking and locating of people with cognitive conditions who tend to wander, such as Alzheimer’s, Autism, Down Syndrome and Dementia patients.
Norlin said that wandering is a life threatening behavior associated with people who have these cognitive conditions and time is one of the most critical factors in a search. This program is a highly effective solution to public safety agencies responsible for rescuing those in need, according to Norlin.
To begin the program, the family must apply with the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office. A waterproof transmitter bracelet is put on the wrist of the family member in the program. The bracelet is worn all day, every day and sends out a signal every second of the day. Should this member wander away, the family contacts the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office who will have the trained personnel to use the tracking equipment needed to find the missing loved one, according to Norlin.
Project Lifesaver was established in 1999, has developed a network of more that 1,000 Law Enforcement and Public Safety Agencies nationwide and has more that 2,000 successful rescues to date. Sheriff Norlin
advised it is a relatively straightforward program. Many state and national associations, including the National Sheriff’s Association and The Alzheimer’s Foundation, endorse project Lifesaver.
For information on Project Lifesaver, or if you have a family member or know someone who would benefit from this program, you are encouraged to call the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 693-5400.
COKATO, MN — A Cokato woman has been identified as the victim of a fatal accident that took place Friday afternoon along Highway 12 in Cokato, according to the State Patrol.
Ruby Voight, 91, of Cokato was killed while trying to cross Highway 12 as a pedestrian northbound at Johnson Ave. NW (near the Marketplace) at about 5:15 p.m. She was using the crosswalk, according to the accident report filed by the State Patrol.
Voight was struck by David Rostomily, 55, of Cokato who was going westbound in a 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe. Rostomily was not injured. His vehicle sustained minor damage and was towed to Holt Motors.
Voight was pronounced dead at the scene at a nearby air ambulance landing zone (near the industrial park). The air ambulance helicopter was dispatched to the scene, with the fire department dispatching several crews to help with traffic control, and assist in the air ambulance. The State Patrol was assisted by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, according to the accident report.
COKATO, MN — A fatal accident that involved a pedestrian took place this afternoon (Nov. 27) along Highway 12 in Cokato, according to the State Patrol.
A female pedestrian was killed on the highway at Johnson Ave. NW (near the Marketplace) while trying to cross northbound at about 5:15 p.m. Identification of the victim is being withheld until relatives are notified. (Note: the State Patrol report initially listed the pedestrian as being “male.” This was updated to female shortly after).
The vehicle involved was a 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe traveling westbound. It sustained minor damage and was towed to Holt Motors.
A helicopter was dispatched to the scene, with the fire department dispatching several crews to help with traffic control, and assist in the air ambulance. The State Patrol was assisted by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, according to the accident report.
DASSEL, MN – State Sen. Steve Dille (R-Dassel) intends to retire, according to a statement from his office.
After a grand total of 33 years of public service, Dille indicated that he won’t seek re-election next year. He was first elected to the Senate in 1992. He previously served in the Minnesota House, where he was first elected in 1986.
On average, Minnesota legislators serve for about ten years. Dille started his public service many years ago as a township supervisor for Dassel Township. Continue reading ‘State Sen. Steve Dille will retire’
