DETECTIVE BUREAU
Owatonna Detectives conducted semi-annual tobacco compliance checks using underage volunteers and surveillance equipment. Two individuals were charged with selling tobacco to a minor and were charged through the Steele County Attorney’s Office. (OW13-000096, OW13- 000097)
January
February
An Owatonna Detective investigated reports of check fraud / forgery. After interviewing
suspects and obtaining surveillance footage from local banks, the detective requested forgery charges on several individuals. (OW13-000093) The South Central Drug Investigation Unit (SCDIU), with the assistance of Owatonna Detectives, executed multiple search warrants for the sale of synthetic marijuana. SCDIU conducted an investigation into Jericho Tobacco after receiving numerous reports alleging the sale of illegal synthetic marijuana. After numerous undercover buys and lab verification of substance bought, the warrants were executed and three arrests were made. (OW13-000593)
March
Agents from the SCDIU and detectives from the Owatonna Police Department concluded an undercover investigation with the arrest of three individuals. SCDIU Agents received information from a confidential informant indicating that he was able to buy heroin from a male from Austin. A deal was set up to purchase an ounce of heroin and of methamphetamines in the parking lot of Fleet Farm in Owatonna. As the timing of the deal drew closer, the dealer changed the location of the exchange to the Burger King lot. SCDIU Agents and Owatonna Detectives set
April
-24-
OWATONNA POLICE DEPARTMENT
up surveillance of the Burger King lot and shortly thereafter spotted the dealer’s vehicle. Surveillance officers observed a suspect exit the dealer’s vehicle and enter an undercover vehicle where the deal was consummated. Agents and detectives converged on the undercover vehicle and took the dealer into custody. They also converged on the dealer’s vehicle which was parked in the Arby’s parking lot and occupied by two other subjects. As a result of the operation, three individuals were taken into custody and transported to the Steele County Jail. As the dealer was being taken into custody in the undercover vehicle, an agent observed the dealer concealing an item in a seat-back pouch; a subsequent search of the vehicle recovered a .22 caliber pistol, $4000 in marked buy money, 15.5 grams of heroin and 7.4 grams of methamphetamines. (OW13-000919) Officers from the Owatonna Police Department were called to the area of the 1400 block of 14th Street N.E. for the reports of someone possibly stealing mail. Officers responding to the area learned from witnesses that two individual were seen taking packages from a residence on 14th Street and running toward another residence on Bigelow Avenue. Officers secured a perimeter around the suspected residence, but were unable to locate the suspects. Shortly thereafter, the officers were directed to the residence next door on Bigelow where they came into contact with two individuals matching the description of the subjects suspected of stealing the packages; a witness later positively identified the two individuals as the suspects. Owatonna Detectives interviewed one of the suspects who admitted to seeing the packages left out in front of the residence and taking them. Two subjects were charged in this case. (OW13-001238)
May