Police reports: Taxi cab drama, iPhones targeted by thieves, garage burglary, more ...

Police were called Feb. 16 to the Sheraton Hotel, 676 Bielenberg Drive, for reports of an altercation between two males. Officers arrived to find a Winnipeg, Ont., man who had been in an argument with a St. Paul taxi driver. The driver said the man, who was admittedly drunk, gave him imprecise directions for a Sheraton Hotel after being picked up from a hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center. The driver made his way toward a Sheraton near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, but learned there was no Sheraton at that location. He ultimately brought the man to the Woodbury hotel, which amounted to a $77 fare. The two men argued over the fare. The officer mediated the argument, which resulted in the passenger paying $50.

A resident in the 400 block of Doncaster Way reported Feb. 16 that items had been stolen from vehicles parked in a garage. Someone entered the open garage door and went through two vehicles there. Taken were an iPod, an emerald ring with diamonds and loose change. No suspects.

Police were called Feb. 17 to a residence in the 9300 block of Preserve Trail for a break-in report. Loose change was reported taken from a vehicle parked in a driveway. Police said there were other, similar incidents overnight in the neighborhood.

Two women were apprehended Feb. 17 after police were called for a shoplifting report at Gordman’s, 8268 Tamarack Village. The suspects, a St. Paul woman and a West St. Paul woman, were observed placing merchandise in a purse and exiting the store. The women were stopped and interviewed by police. One of the women had suspected marijuana in her purse. One woman was cited for theft; the other was cited for aiding and abetting theft.

A resident in the 4900 block of Wild Canyon Drive called Feb. 17 to report the sound of gunshots. The gunfire was from officers shooting a sick raccoon.

Police responded Feb. 17 to a theft report at Sprint, 9220 Hudson Road. Workers there said two men use a tool to steal two display iPhones inside the store. The suspects ran out with the phones when confronted by a worker. Police were unable to locate the suspects.

A Woodbury woman received a suspicious phone call Feb. 18. The caller told the woman she had won a multi-million dollar lottery. The woman identified the call as a scam, hung up and notified police of the activity.

Police responded Feb. 18 to a theft report at Lake Middle School, 3133 Pioneer Drive. A parent reported her son’s iPhone was stolen from his backpack while he was in gym class. Investigation revealed a Lake Middle School eighth grader had stolen the phone.

Bed, Bath & Beyond, 8250 Tamarack Village, reported Feb. 18 that three people entered the store and left with unpaid merchandise. The suspects, who left in a gray vehicle, took bedding items. Loss: $300.

Police conducted a traffic stop Feb. 18 on Tamarack Road at I-494. After approaching the driver, the officer could smell burnt marijuana. The driver, a Woodbury man, was found in possession of three pipes, a grinding device and a container of marijuana. He was issued a ticket for possession of small amount of marijuana.

Police were called Feb. 18 to an underage drinking party near Woodlane Drive and Military Road. A parent whose son was at the party lodged the complaint. Three underage drinking tickets were issued to Woodbury juveniles.

An officer on patrol Feb. 19 located a vehicle parked near a Dumpster in the Ridgestone construction area. Two people were found inside the Dumpster. The suspects said they were looking for scrap metal. They were advised against the behavior and told to leave.

A Courtly Road resident reported Feb. 20 that he found bags stuck to trees and possibly stolen items discarded around the property. Police located a tool case, tools, sunglasses and a climbing harness.

A vehicle driven by a Maplewood woman crashed at 5:25 p.m. Feb. 21 on Valley Creek Road. The woman, who complained of chest and shoulder pain, said she was eastbound on Valley Creek Road when a plow truck passed and kicked up snow onto her windshield, causing her to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a ditch. The woman said she would arrange her own transportation to the hospital.

A Woodbury woman reported Feb. 21 that her purse, which contained a cell phone, a wallet and about $300, was stolen while she was at Target, 7200 Valley Creek Plaza. The woman told police she didn’t notice the purse missing for five days and was “in shock” for another four days before issuing the report.

Police were called Feb. 21 to Ulta Cosmetics, 8290 Tamarack Village, for a shoplifting report. Two women left the store without paying for eight boxes of perfume. Police were unable to locate the suspects.

Tags: crime and courts, news, crime