Woodbury police reports: Potential 'push-outs' pursued, Easter gifts stolen, more ...

Police were called April 5 to Elite Liquor, 8150 Coller Way, for a theft report. Workers there reported that surveillance footage revealed that the previous week two males apparently conspired to steal a $42 bottle of cognac. One male created a distraction while the other concealed the bottle before they both left. Police suggested employees spread the word to other liquor stores.

Workers at Walmart, 10240 Hudson Road, reported April 5 that a female customer had just stolen merchandise. The woman was observed placing items in her purse and place others in her cart, which were purchased. Loss prevention stopped the woman outside the store. She refused to return to the store, then fled on foot to vehicle that left the area.

An officer on patrol April 6 noticed twine and paper ribbon had been strung across the intersection of Tamarack Road and Woodduck Drive. The materials were taken down. No suspects.

On April 6, two females were observed pushing two loaded shopping carts toward the front door at Target, 7200 Valey Creek Plaza. The women, who loss prevention workers suspected were about to perform a “push-out,” stopped after seeing security. One cart contained about $500 worth of children’s clothing; the other held cleaning materials and camping items. The suspects, both Oakdale women, were identified.

Police were called April 6 to Gordman’s, 8264 Tamarack Village, for a theft in progress. Two females were spotted piling clothes in a suitcase and shopping cart. Workers said it appeared they were about the push the cart out of the store without paying. The women left the items and cart – containing merchandise totaling $994 – near the front door and left, taking off in a rented car. Police stopped the vehicle on Radio Drive near Interstate 94, where the females admitted being at the store. Staff had the women trespassed from the store.

A Woodbury woman was stopped April 6 at Walmart, where she was suspected of stealing merchandise. The woman, who had purchased other items, admitted to the theft, “saying what she did was dumb” and that she wanted to keep extra cash. The woman was cited for theft.

An anonymous caller reported April 7 that a residence in the 9700 block of Wynstone Drive had a bonfire that was shooting flames 7 feet high. Police made contact with the resident who said the fire had been within limits set forth in city ordinance. The officer confirmed the fire was within limits.

Police were called March 7 to Country Inn and Suites, 6003 Hudson Road, for an assault report. A guest had found a man inside the building who had been assaulted. The victim, a St. Paul man, was hospitalized with head injuries. No suspects or witnesses were located.

A resident in the 6700 block of Ashwood Road reported a fire at a neighboring residence. Police and firefighters arrived to find the fire had already been extinguished. A person there said he had put out his cigarette in a bucket that contained some mulch. A neighbor telling him his siding was on fire awakened him. Together, they put out the fire.

A resident in the 2600 block of Horseshoe Lane reported April 8 that items were taken from her vehicle’s locked trunk. The victim said the items, valued at about $100, were Easter gifts for her children.

Police were called April 8 to a house in the 2800 block of White Eagle Lane for a theft report. A man there said someone took two Chinese guardian lion statues from his front steps. Loss: $1,000.

An officer on patrol April 8 noticed a female curled up in a vehicle parked at Walmart. The woman appeared to be unconscious. The officer was eventually able to rouse her from her slumber and detected the smell of alcohol coming from her. An open liquor bottle was spotted on the front seat. The woman told the officer she thought she was in Coon Rapids. She told the officer she had been in a fight and grabbed a bottle of vodka before leaving. The woman consented to a blood-alcohol breath test, which revealed a 0.25 blood-alcohol content. She was taken to a Hastings detoxification facility.

An Oakdale woman reported April 9 that her cellphone was stolen at Walgreen’s, 1615 Queens Drive. The woman had accidentally left the phone on the counter at the store. Loss: $500.

A resident in the 4100 block of Salem Drive called April 9 to complain of loud hip-hop music coming from East Ridge High School. Police searched the area, but did not hear any music playing.

A resident in the 7100 block of Victoria Road reported her mail – which contained checks for bills – had been stolen. A Woodbury suspect was later arrested.

Police were called April 10 to Dollar Tree, 10150 Hudson Road, for a person stuck in a freezer. Dispatch later informed the officer that the person had been released from the freezer.

Police and firefighters were called April 10 to Posh Pooch Pet Salon for a dryer fire. Smoke was seen, but no flames. Firefighters handled the incident.

A Woodbury resident called April 10 to report witnessing a road rage incident. The incident, which involved a Cottage Grove motorist and a Woodbury motorist, involved each other attempting to overtake one another on Bailey Road. The Cottage Grove man, who claimed the other driver was the aggressor, said the Woodbury man eventually got out of his car with a black object in his hand. Interviews with both drivers did not generate enough evidence to substantiate charges, police said.

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