2010 Investigations Highlights………………………………………………………………………...…18 South Central Drug Investigation Unit SCDIU Tactical Team……...………………….…………………………………………………………21

INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION

2010 Investigations Highlights

January 2010: A fight outside a local bar ends with multiple facial injuries to the victim. Patrol and Investigations worked together to interview several witnesses as well as gather evidence from the crime scene. When the investigation was complete, the suspect was charged with third degree assault. (OW10-000027)

February 2010: A night of drinking with friends turned violent when an argument broke out between two men. One man was stabbed with a piece of wood trim after he asked his friend to leave the residence. The suspect fled the scene, and when confronted by officers, became belligerent and violent. He was tazed after attempting to assault an officer. The suspect was arrested and charged with second degree assault and assault on a peace officer. (OW10-000417)

March 2010: An criminal sexual conduct investigation was opened when two students reported to the school resource officer that they had been sexually assault by another student over a year prior to reporting the incident. The incident occurred at the victim’s home. The investigation led to charges against the juvenile male. (OW10-000716)

April 2010: A burglary in the north district was solved when investigators received tips from local music stores about a young man trying to sell instruments stolen from the Owatonna High School. When the burglary was first reported, the suspects were interviewed and admitted being at the residence, but denied taking any items. After months of collecting evidence and reviewing statements and timelines, the main suspect was interviewed again. During the interview, he admitted to burglarizing his mother’s residence. (OW10-000829)

May 2010: An investigation involving the theft of scrap metal and radiators from local businesses led to the installation of VARDA cameras at the local businesses. After reviewing the surveillance camera video over the course of several days, investigators were led to the suspect. The suspect was arrested and charged with theft. (OW10-000761)

June 2010: A mandatory reporter called to report that a 14 year old girl was pregnant and the alleged father of the unborn child was 24 years of age. Investigators were also informed that the pregnant teen was scheduled for an abortion and went to work drafting search warrants and arranging the testing of the fetus to determine paternity. Eventually, the suspect was charged with third degree criminal sexual conduct by the Steele County Attorney’s Office. (OW10-001241)

INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION

2010 Investigations Highlights

July 2010: When a local home caught fire while the family was out of town, fire investigators became suspicious and teamed up with OPD investigators to trace the events leading up to the fire. After moving out precious momentos, a man convinced a friend to use kerosene to start the house fire while they were out of town visiting relatives. Investigators drafted several search warrants and conducted multiple interviews before forwarding the case to the Steele County Attorney’s Office for prosecution. (OW10-001702)

August 2010: While following up on information for another investigation, an OPD investigator noticed three young males near the old Walmart building. Upon closer inspection, the investigator discovered broken windows and doors and the audible alarm was sounding. The young males were still on the scene and were cooperative with the investigator. All three were eventually charged with damage to property. (OW10-002029).

September 2010: 19 businesses were the victims of fraud when they paid for advertising they never received. New Ulm Police initiated the fraud investigation and contacted Owatonna investigators when their investigation revealed Owatonna businesses may also be victims. Investigators interviewed business owners and gathered correspondence, invoices, and payment details to build a solid case. Working jointly with New Ulm investigators, the cases were aggregated and charged out in Brown County. (OW10-002429)

October 2010: Family members reported a man missing after he failed to show up at work. Investigators assigned to the case interviewed family members and began searching the area near the man’s home. Investigators learned the man had recently been depressed and was concerned about losing his job. After several hours of searching, the man was located deceased. (OW10-002875)

November 2010: Surveillance video from a local store owner prompted investigators to interview two juveniles about a burglary that caused several thousand dollars of damage. The juveniles told investigators of their involvement and also gave the names of others involved. Due to the young ages of the suspects, they were not all charged, but it is hoped they all learned a valuable lesson about giving in to peer pressure. (OW10-003135)

December 2010: An adult protection report filed on behalf of an elderly male turned into an investigation into his living arrangements and ability to care for himself by Steele County Human Services. A few days later, the male was found deceased and a death investigation followed. The investigation revealed that the man died of natural causes and no crime was committed. (OW10-003375)

INVESTIGATIONS

SCDIU

The Owatonna Police Department continued the leadership role as Fiscal Agents of the South Central Drug Investigation Unit in 2010. This included the assignment of a police sergeant as commander of the task force as well as an administrative assistant. We also continued to co-fund a field agent position in conjunction with the Steele County Sheriff’s Department. The SCDIU is a federally funded narcotics task force formed in cooperation with member agencies of four counties, encompassing a jurisdictional area of approximately 2,500 square miles. Staffed by four specially trained field agents, the task force concentrates their efforts on narcotics distribution and narcotics related investigations. Agents also assist member agencies with criminal investigations that have a correlation with illegal drugs. The SCDIU has developed strong partnerships with adjoining task forces, the Minnesota BCA, FBI, DEA, and ICE, investigating cases that stretch beyond our boundaries that have a direct impact on the flow of illegal drugs into our area. The agents also focus on public education, especially the young people of our communities, by conducting presentations at schools, churches, civic organizations, and in the work place.