A look at the Law Enforcement Log

Each week the Cook County Sheriff’s Office provides a brief report of calls made to the Cook County Law Enforcement Center. WTIP requested more information on the following incidents. This report provides more details on calls logged by law enforcement dispatchers from May 28 – June 10.

On May 28, a suspicious activity call came in reporting a camper stopped on the side of the road with a woman lying in the grass. Deputies investigated and parties explained they had stopped to enjoy the sun, as they “had not seen it for a while.” 

On May 28, a party in Grand Portage reported that they had received threats at their workplace. They just wanted to talk to a deputy. 

A party reported the theft of a bulldozer blade on May 28. The party was advised to not talk to the person suspected of removing the blade and to let attorneys handle the matter. 

There was a report of a white pickup truck and a darker colored truck revving their engines on South Broadway in Grand Marais on May 28. A party called asking deputies to get them to stop. Trucks were gone on arrival. 

On May 29, some county staffers notified the Sheriff’s Office that that they were visiting a property on Pike Lake Road. The staff will check in with the law enforcement center when they return. 

The Sheriff’s Office received applications for a water surface permit for a buoy/temporary structure on May 29. 

There was a report of an ATV accident on Old Ski Hill Road on May 29. A 2005 Polaris Sportsman ATV went off the road into the ditch. There were no injuries. 

A “minor fender bender” was reported at the Grand Portage National Monument on May 29. No injuries. 

There was a request for public assistance in Colvill so a party could collect their belongings from a rental property. Party was told that was a civil matter. 

There was a call on May 29 for assistance for a man on 5th Avenue West, hitchhiking with a dog and a bike. Party was gone on arrival. 

On May 29, a parent called for help from a social worker because of problems with a child. 

A B&B owner asked for help locating a guest who did not return to his rented room overnight. The party was eventually contacted on his cell phone; he spent the night in Grand Portage.

Another welfare check was requested for a person in Grand Portage on May 30. Deputies arrived and the party accepted transport to the hospital. 

On May 30, a driver pulled up to a deputy conducting radar survellience on Fall River Road. The motorist asked for directions, which the deputy provided, along with advice on the safest place to park. 

 On May 30, parties doing a highway cleanup on East Highway 61 found a lot of personal belongings. 

A caller reported someone camping on the Lace Lake helicopter landing zone on May 30. They were informed they cannot camp there. The party said they would leave in the morning. The site was checked the next day and they were gone as promised. 

A party got lost on Cedar Grove Lane in the business park in Grand Marais on May 30. The Sheriff’s Office assisted and helped her find a ride to where she was staying for the night. 

There was a disturbance on West 5th Street in Grand Marais after a juvenile bumped another child and a grandparent got involved. 

The Law Enforcement Center received a report of a stop sign that has been knocked down. The highway department was contacted. 

A caller on May 31 reported that the “pleiadians" are down by the lake, wailing and walking back and forth. The party asked sheriff deputies to tell them to stay off neighboring properties. 

On May 31, a party was rear-ended as they turned off of Highway 61 onto Birch Drive. There were no injuries. 

There was a call of a red Chevy pickup and a white lifted truck revving engines and zooming back and forth on South Broadway at 8:22 p.m. on May 31. Party said this has been happening since 6 p.m. Sheriff deputies were unable to locate the vehicles, but will monitor the area. 

A sheriff deputy pulled over a silver truck pulling a pontoon with taillights out on May 31. The driver will continue to their destination on Camp 20 Road with flashers on.

A vehicle was spotted in the ditch on East Highway 61 at 2:06 a.m. Cook County located the registered owner who explained she had gone into the ditch while trying to avoid hitting a cat. No injuries to the driver or damage to the vehicle. A friend will help her get the vehicle out of the ditch. 

There was a property damage accident at Java Moose on June 1. A motorist said her foot slipped off the brake and she ran into another car. Parties were advised to exchange insurance information.

On May 30, AT&T contacted the Law Enforcement Center to inform the Sheriff’s Office of a phone outage. WTIP was contacted to share that message with the public. 

On May 30, a party reported a power outage in Grand Portage. It was an isolated call. Party was advised to speak with an electrician. 

There were two reports of power outages on June 1, one apparently caused by a squirrel. A party found a dead squirrel at the bottom of the power pole. Arrowhead Electric Cooperative said it is likely a blown fuse. An Arrowhead Electric Cooperative lineworker will respond. 

 A party reported a black pickup pulling a boat driving recklessly and speeding on Highway 61 on June 1. Sheriff's deputy met several pickups pulling boats, but no reckless driving or speeding was observed.

A party asked to speak to a deputy about use of firearms on private property on June 6.

A party asked for advice on handling unwanted visitors on June 6.

On June 6, two young boys ran into the Cook County YMCA to ask for help for another boy who had hurt himself at the skate park. The party at the YMCA gave them an ice pack and band-aids for his scrape and called the sheriff’s office. A deputy responded just before the boy’s mother arrived. Medical care was not needed. The boys’ mother thanked the kids for going to the Y to get help. 

The Sheriff’s Office received a call of a party driving after revocation who broke down on a road in Grand Marais. Cook County ran the plates and confirmed that the owner of the pickup has had his driver’s license revoked. Deputies will watch for the party.

Also on June 1, the Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of a teal car traveling south on East Highway 61, driving erratically. Minnesota State Patrol was informed. 

A caller reported a possible drunk driver in the Devil Track area on June 1. 

There was a call reporting kids playing on the Gunflint Trail on June 1. A deputy tracked down some kids at the Community Center and cautioned them about playing on the road.

A call was made to law enforcement at 2:18 a.m. on June 2, reporting a gold Yamaha golf cart stolen from Ski Hill Road. Party looked around property and there is no sign of the cart. It was found on June 3 on the Superior National at Lutsen golf course and returned to Lutsen Mountains.

A runaway person was reported on June 2 in the Hovland area. The person was found safe. 

A party flagged down a sheriff deputy on June 2, requesting help to get inside their locked vehicle at the Devil’s Kettle parking lot. North Coast Towing was called and got the vehicle unlocked. 

On June 2, a party reported that someone vandalized their tailgate with an ax overnight. 

At 9 p.m. on June 2, a deputy saw a vehicle at Cook County Home Center loading pallets into his vehicle. Deputy checked and party was one of the store owner’s sons. 

 On June 3, the sheriff’s office received a buoy/temporary structure permit application.

 A welfare check was requested for a confused party at the Cook County courthouse. Party voluntarily went to the ER for an evaluation.

On June 5, a caller reported an individual acting erratically on East Highway 61. The party placed wooden hearts with “Feel the Bern” and smiley faces in flower planters. It was determined that the man had done nothing illegal, but the behavior was odd and the reporting party wanted it on record. Later, another facility reported that this individual placed “freedom for all” and “Orion” messages there. 

On June 5, law enforcement received a call of smoke on the Gunflint Trail, near Hedstrom Lumber. Cook County and U.S. Forest Service fire engines responded to look for the source of the smoke. It was determined that the smoke was from the boiler at the lumber mill.

On June 6, there was a report of a blue Subaru passing vehicles at a high speed on the Devil Track Road. Deputies stopped the suspect vehicle and the motorist said it was him, but stated the other drivers were going under the speed limit. A verbal warning was given. 

On June 6, a welfare check was requested for a party with dementia walking on Highway 61 in the Colvill area. The reporting party was concerned because it is foggy. Deputies located the individual and they were transported to the hospital. 

There was a report of a drug incident—someone smoking drugs in front of children on June 6. There was no arrest or citation. 

There was a hit and run with property damage on June 6. A parked vehicle was hit, gouging the bumper. Parts of tail lights left behind. 

There was a call about an unwanted person at the Wunderbar on June 6. Sheriff deputies talked to the party and told them to stay away.

A party called law enforcement to report someone driving drunk in the Tofte area on June 6. However, the party called back right away letting the Sheriff’s Office know the party didn’t actually leave. 

A second call came in on June 6 of a suspected drunk driver. The person went to a hotel room for the night.

An arrest was made on June 6 for an order for protection violation.

At 3 a.m. on June 7, a juvenile was spotted entering multiple vehicles in Grand Marais. Deputies were unable to locate the suspect. 

A semi-trailer near the Cook County Recycling Center was vandalized on June 7. Someone spray-painted vulgarities in blue paint. The reporting party is retrieving video of the incident.

 A caller reported two pickups with Wisconsin license plates speeding in the Rock Cut area on June 7. Minnesota State Patrol was notified and will look for the trucks.

A small SUV and a compact car collided at 3:07 p.m. on June 6 on 5th Avenue. There was no report of injuries, but cars needed to be towed.

 A party called the Sheriff’s Office on June 7 to report that an RV with a boat behind it has been parked on a Grand Marais street for two days. The party said he thought there was an ordinance against living on the side of the road. The camper moved before deputies arrived. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that camping on city streets is not allowed.

The Sheriff’s Office received a call from Grand Portage reporting an unwanted person at a residence. The caller said they were threatened by a family member and wanted them to leave. The party left and when deputies located the person, they said it was the caller who “freaked out” and that is why they left. 

On June 7, a check welfare call came in from Grand Marais for a woman who had texted that she intended to take too many pills. The party was transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation.
 
A disturbance call came in at 2:30 a.m. on June 8. A party reported that a couple was fighting. One of the parties left the residence.

A property damage call came in on June 8 with a party reporting damage to a door after someone slammed it. The Sheriff’s Office advised this is a civil call.

A traffic complaint call on June 8 reported a blue Subaru driving very slowly on Highway 61.

 On June 8 the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary in Grand Marais. The matter is under investigation.

Another traffic complaint came in on June 8, a party reported a navy blue ‘90s style pickup with an adult and elementary-school aged child riding in the bed of the truck on Highway 61. The reporting party’s cell phone cut out before more information could be given. 

Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at Aspenwood on June 8.

At 3:00 a.m. on June 9, a party reported a teenage male with a hoodie walking in Grand Marais, in the area where there were recent property damage calls. Deputy located the person who was just walking home. 

There was a property damage accident report on June 9. A party backed into their neighbor’s vehicle. No injuries, but the door was caved in on the car. 

On June 9, a party reported the theft of tools with a value of about $360. The theft happened sometime in the last two weeks. Party needed report for insurance.

There was a call of a young girl riding a little dirt bike, going really fast, in Grand Portage on June 9. The child’s mother was contacted and she will ensure that her daughter doesn’t do it again.

 On June 10, a party called to report a scam phone call. The caller told the party their social security card would be cancelled. Party knew it was a scam and didn’t lose anything, they just wanted others to be aware of the fraud calls.

County staff contacted law enforcement to let them know they were visiting a property on Pike Lake Road on June 10. They visited the property and returned to the courthouse, all clear.

On June 10, a deputy heard someone yelling while serving papers to another party. Upon investigation it was discovered that it was a mother yelling at her child who was trying to put a finger in the electric plugin. 

There were numerous lost and found pets during this period. A friendly adult female collie named Honey was reported missing on May 28. A collie was found later that evening and the owner was contacted. 

 A black and white dog, about 35 pounds, was found and a bystander said it might be a Grand Marais man’s dog, Buddy. Law enforcement dispatchers contacted the dog owner who said it is his brother’s dog and it can be taken to his house instead of the pound. 

On May 30, a party called to report a dog that had been left inside a vehicle all day outside of the GunFlint Tavern. Deputies checked on the dog, a large brown/black retriever type dog. Dog did not seem to be in distress. No action taken.

Odin the dog ran off from his Hovland yard during the night. His owners left their cell phone number so they can be reached if he is found.

A party called Law Enforcement on June 4 reporting husky in a cargo van on the 600 Road in Tofte. A deputy located the vehicle and checked on the dog who seemed fine. The window was down.

On June 8, a caller reported that two large dogs were locked in a car, panting and appearing to be in distress. When the deputy arrived on scene, the owner returned. There were windows open and the inside of the car was not too warm. 

A light brown and white, medium-size dog was spotted running on Highway 61 on June 9. A deputy tried to catch it, but the dog ran off into the woods. Information shared so all cars on duty knew to watch for the dog. Two more calls came in from people concerned about the dog. The dog was friendly, but skittish.

A “Lassie-type” dog showed up at a house in Grand Marais on June 10. After the Sheriff’s Office figured out whose dog it was, the reporting party took it home. 

 On June 10, a caller reported concerns about a cat that has been “yowling” for the last couple of days. The owner was in the hospital and was returning to once again care for the cat.

There were two wildlife calls. On May 30, a caller reported a wounded deer on the Caribou Trail. A deputy responded and dispatched the deer. A possession tag was given to a Grand Marais man.

Another caller asked what could be done for a fawn without its mother walking around her front yard. The Sheriff’s Office replied that there is nothing that could be done, nature needs to take its course. 

There were numerous lost and found reports during this time period. On May 28, there was a report of a missing 2-wheel scooter with a blue kick plate and gold handlebar and a Pushing Chain sticker.  Also on May 28, a caller reported that a wallet was lost overnight somewhere between downtown and the Aspen Inn. The party called back an hour later, the wallet was found under a towel in the hotel room.

 A party reported a lost wallet on May 29, somewhere in Grand Marais. Another party reported a lost key fob for a Jeep on May 29.

On May 31, a party reported a lost Samsung phone with white trim, sometime on May 28 or 29.

On June 2, a party turned in a men’s wallet found at a laundromat containing $80 in U.S. cash and some foreign currency. On June 3, the party stopped by to claim the wallet. 

On June 4, a party lost a wallet in the area of the Post Office in Grand Marais and another party lost a black bi-fold wallet somewhere in Cook County. Another wallet was reported lost, somewhere on the Superior Hiking Trail north of Grand Marais, on June 6.

On June 4, a party reported a small, cross-body purse lost somewhere in the area of Sven & Ole’s Pizza. 

A party found a debit card and asked law enforcement to locate the owner on June 8. The Sheriff’s Office made phone calls and the card owner and the person who found the card were connected.

A party reported a green canoe with gear on the north bound ditch of the Gunflint Trail on June 5. Sheriff deputies looked for the canoe, but could not find it. 

There were numerous crank or misdialed 9-1-1 calls, including one from a party in Cook County, Illinois. Party was advised that they were calling Minnesota. Another mistake call came in on May 31 reporting a “log slide” seven miles east of Grand Marais. It was determined that the incident was in Grand Marais, Michigan.  

And finally, on June 3, a party called to report theft of wood. It turned out he was in Cook, Minnesota, not Cook County. The dispatcher gave him the correct number for law enforcement in Cook. 

There were 34 traffic stops that resulted in warnings or reprimands. Ten other traffic stops led to citations.

There was a scheduled, monthly, countywide pager test on June 4.

To contact the Cook County Sheriff's Office call 218-387-3030. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.