Owatonna Police Department-2012 Annual Report

DETECTIVE BUREAU 2012 Detective Bureau Highlights January 2012: Owatonna detectives followed up on a case involving the discharge of a firearm within city limits. Upon interviewing witnesses and the suspect, detectives learned that the two squirrels had been killed with the firearm. Detectives requested charges of discharging a firearm within city limits, wanton waste, and taking small game without a license. (OW12-000073) February 2012: An Owatonna woman was charged with theft after admitting to stealing food from her employer. Cash Wise notified the OPD of an employee theft and provided surveillance video as well as written reports detailing the incidents. The employee admitted to the theft and was terminated from employment. A detective interviewed the suspect and requested theft charges through the Steele County Attorney’s Office.

(OW12-000471) March 2012: A nine month long investigation culminated in the execution of five search warrants in Owatonna and the arrests of thirty-two individuals involved in the sale of illegal drugs. OPD detectives worked with South Central Drug Iinvestigation Unit (SCDIU) Agents and the SCDIU Tactical Team to execute the warrants and make the arrests. (OW12-000569) April 2012: A fifteen year old girl reported being sexually assaulted at a party she attended approximately one month earlier. Detectives learned the victim was with several friends who were drinking and smoking marijuana when she was lured into a bedroom and sexually assaulted. The victim was scared to report the incident, but eventually told her mother, who brought her to the police department to file a report.

The case was sent to the Steele County Attorney’s Office for review of criminal sexual conduct charges.

(OW12-000833) May 2012: A string of burglaries led detectives to a trio of suspects. After several interviews and viewing of surveillance video, detectives were unable to find enough evidence to request charges on the suspects. The businesses involved sustained minor damage. (OW12001138, OW12-001139, OW12-001140) June 2012: An officer with the Minneapolis PD notified OPD detectives that a Level II Predatory Offender Registrant living in Owatonna was distributing what was believed to be child pornography. Detectives assisted the Minneapolis PD officer with the execution of a search warrant at the suspect’s home. Formal complaint charges were requested through the Steele County Attorney’s office for possession of child pornography. (OW12001371) OWATONNA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2012 ANNUAL REPORT