DETECTIVE BUREAU 2011 Detective Bureau Highlights January 2011: Owatonna Detectives assisted Dodge County Sheriff’s Office with the execution of a search warrant for a home in Owatonna. Detectives were looking for evidence of child pornography and located several photos on electronics seized from the home. Federal and state charges were brought against the suspect and he eventually pled guilty. (OW11-000127) February 2011: Several businesses were the victims of burglaries and with the help of surveillance videos and night time surveillance patrols, detectives were successful in apprehending the suspect. The suspect was charged with multiple counts of burglary and possession of burglary tools. (OW11-000480) March 2011: A criminal sexual conduct investigation was opened when officers responded to a 911 call from a male stating his girlfriend had been forced to drink alcohol and was then sexually assaulted. When officers arrived, they found numerous underage individuals drinking in the garage. Detectives were called to the scene and after interviewing the suspect, victim, and witnesses, the suspect was arrested and charged with criminal sexual conduct. (OW11-000685) April 2011: A fraud investigation revealed that a convicted felon had voted in the last election. Detectives interviewed the suspect and his wife in which they both admitted that he had voted in the last election and had not realized that his past conviction meant he could not vote. The case was sent to the county attorney for review once the investigation was complete. (OW11-001004) May 2011: Detectives were asked to assist Steele County Human Services with a fraud investigation as one of the suspects is a Steele County employee. Detectives began locating and reviewing records with the human services fraud investigator and it is discovered that the employee and her spouse have received several thousand dollars in benefits that they did not qualify for. As the investigation continued, the state of Minnesota opened an investigation into their sales tax records as well. After two months of investigation, two suspects were arrested and charged with fraud. (OW11-001421) June 2011: Corporal Detective John Petterson retired June 21, 2011. Detective Petterson began his career with the Owatonna Police Department on January 2, 1991. During his tenure, he served as a Canine Officer, Bike Patrol Officer, South Central Drug Investigation Unit Agent, School Resource Officer, and most recently as a Corporal Detective assigned to investigate crimes against persons. During his various assignments, he received two service awards.
OWATONNA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
