Police Blotter: Theft, Crack and a Good Samaritan Child

Feb. 27: In Armatage, a cabdriver with the Skybird Taxi Co. told police his customers failed to pay him. When the driver dropped an unknown number of suspects off at an apartment building on the 5600 block of Xerxes Avenue South just after 2:30 a.m., they ran inside without paying him. The cabdriver followed the suspects inside and watched as they entered an apartment. The driver took down the apartment number and told the officer, Renee Lewis, who, “Attempted to make contact with the suspects but no one answered the door.” The police report says the case is open for investigation pending further information or leads.

Feb. 28: On the 5600 block of Lyndale Avenue South, near West 57 Street, officers arrested a St. Paul woman for a felony narcotics violation. The woman, 48, told officers she was smoking crack cocaine when they arrived just after midnight. When police asked the suspect to stand up, they say a crack pipe fell from between her legs. Police booked her in Hennepin County Jail.

 Mar. 1: In Windom, off the 100 block of West 61 Street, a Minneapolis man reported theft from his motor vehicle. His vehicle was parked near his home overnight and the next morning the man noticed that his driver’s side window was broken and a backpack was missing.

 Mar. 2: In Kingfield, officers noticed a Minneapolis man swaying in the middle of the southbound lane of Lyndale Avenue just before 3 a.m. Police say the man, 44,  appeared to be intoxicated. Police also say the man hesitated when officers asked where he lived, stating that he was “too messed up to remember.” The man said he lost his wallet dowtown. Police eventually transported him to his girlfriend’s house without charging him with a crime.

 Mar. 2: On West Diamond Lake Road, police arrested and released an Edina man for having expired registration tabs and failure to provide proof of insurance, a violation that can carry a fine of at least $200.

 Mar. 3: In Lake Harriet Park, a park agent observed a Minneapolis man walking on the lake with his dog off leash. The agent cited the man with a petty misdemeanor for the violation, which carries a $100 fine.

 Mar. 3: In Windom, a bus driver told police that a child gave him two Minnesota drivers licenses and 10 credit cards. The child stated they were found on the ground near a bus stop. Police inventoried the missing property.

 Mar. 3: In Linden Hills, off the 3400 block of West 47 Street, police cited a 16-year old boy for a misdemeanor assault in the fifth degree. Police say he punched a 15-year old boy without provocation during an argument about money. The victim did not require medical treatment and police released the suspect.