A look at the Law Enforcement Log, August 8-13

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 August 8 -13.

At 7:50 a.m. on August 13, a small golden retriever was found on the bike trail in Grand Marais and brought to the law enforcement center. The dog was taken to the pound and given some food and water. Using the dog’s tag, the owner was found. The owner paid the $30 fine to retrieve his dog.

The sheriff’s office received a call of a female party who appeared to be drunk or under the influence stumbling into the road at 8:08 a.m. on August 13. Cook County Public Health and Human Services was contacted. They were trying to find the woman someplace to stay, but were unable to find a hotel room. A tent was found and the woman was allowed to camp out near the PHHS office. **Correction from Cook County PHHS:  Cook County Public Health and Human Services was contacted and assisted the woman in finding a temporary place to stay. The individual did not stay on courthouse property.**

At 1:35 p.m. on August 13, a black shiatzu was seen running loose with a cat following him in Grand Marais. Cook County knew owner and was able to reach the owner’s home. Party is out looking for the dog.

 A welfare check was requested in Grand Portage on August 13 for a man who was “acting strange and writing weird things on the internet.” A friend of the man’s ex-girlfriend was concerned for her safety. A deputy checked on girlfriend, who was fine. Deputy also checked with the male party, who did not seem to be impaired and said he had no intention of harming himself or anyone else.

At 3:02 p.m. on August 13, a party called to talk to a deputy about a juvenile driving a tractor with a baler attached on the Gunflint Trail. Deputy advised the party that this was legal. Party called law enforcement center to argue that it was not and hung up.

The sheriff’s office received a call from a party in Grand Marais who heard what sounded like gun shots east of her house at 6:49 a.m. on August 13. Deputies patrolled the area and could not locate anyone shooting.

A party from Eagle Ridge on the Ski Hill Road reported on August 13 that a young bear getting into dumpsters and hanging around the resort. It has been tougher than usual to chase him off.

At 11:44 p.m. on August 13, a party called about someone possibly using drugs in her house in Grand Portage. She went to sit in her car while waiting for sheriff deputies. A male party was arrested for probation violation and transported to jail.
A call came in to the sheriff’s office at 1:22 a.m. on August 14 from a party that was lost in Cascade River State Park. The sheriff’s office talked to park staff, who were able to give her directions back to her campsite.

There was a report of a broken down truck and trailer off the shoulder of Fall River Road at 8:11 a.m. on August 14.  Reporting party said help is on the way.

There was a report of a shot fired at 8:49 a.m. on August 14. A sheriff deputy patrolled the area and spoke to others in the area. The source of the shot was not found.

A party came into the law enforcement center asking where he can drive his ATV side-by-side in town. Cook County told the party where he could ride, advising him to stay off of Highway 61.

Another scam call came in on August 14 from a party that had gotten a call allegedly from Publisher’s Clearing House. He then received a check for $5,000 and went to deposit it, but realized it was a scam. He just wanted law enforcement to know.

At 11:26 a.m. on August 14, a caller reported a white, diesel Ford F350 pickup running at Boulder Park with no one inside.
 Another call came in at 11:23 a.m. on August 14 from Cascade River State Park about the woman who was lost during the night, but found her way back to her campsite. The friends she was camping with left her. They said they were worried about her mental state. Deputies located the woman, who did not appear to be considering to harm herself. They helped her charge her cell phone so she could call a family member to come pick her up.

There was a minor collision between a reddish Nissan Cube and a white Subaru in Grand Marais on August 14 at 12:35 p.m. Parties exchanged insurance information.

A small black dog with a curly tail broke his tether and ran off just before 1 p.m. on August 14. Family is out looking for him. They left a phone number to call if dog is spotted. The dog is very shy.

A camper at the Grand Marais Rec Park called on August 14 to say they left their site on August 4 and when they returned on August 11 to find the door of their RV open. They are sure they left it locked.

There was a report of an accident by the Moose Viewing Trail on the Gunflint Trail at 2:38 p.m. on August 14. A light blue Prius was in the southbound ditch. There appear to be no injuries. A tow was needed as there was undercarriage damage and front passenger tire was no longer attached to the vehicle. The motorist believes he fell asleep.

There was a Coca-Cola semi crash at 3:04 p.m. on West Highway 61 on August 14. No injuries and the semi was able to get out of the ditch.

At 4:36 p.m., there was another minor collision in Grand Marais. A Chevy Traverse and a Ford Escape reported a “fender bender.” A sheriff deputy assisted in the exchange of insurance and will write a short report for the parties.

At 5 p.m. on August 14, a call came in reporting that a medium-sized, red lab named Cedar had slipped her collar. Party called back at 5:23 p.m. The dog had returned.

A party called Cook County to report a possible sighting of a missing female from Edina, Minnesota. Party said they might have seen the woman at Keyport Liquor in Superior. Cook County gave the number of Douglas County to make a report there.

Just before 9 p.m. on August 14, a party called to report a big rock in the road by the Cooperation Station in Grand Marais. The rock is the size of a soccer ball.

The Gunflint Tavern called to report an unwanted person making threats at 11:15 p.m. on August 14. Deputies found the party at Grandma Ray’s and informed him that if he goes back to the Tavern, he will be arrested. Party understood.

A juvenile party in a gray Dodge Caravan called requesting help with a flat tire on the Arrowhead Trail at 9:02 a.m. on August 15. North Coast Towing responded to tow, but was unable to find the vehicle.   At 2:20 p.m., one of the juvenile’s mother called to say the youths were at the NAPA in Grand Marais. A passerby on his tractor stopped and ended up getting supplies and plugging their tire so they were able to get into town.   

At 7:09 p.m. on August 15, a US Forest Service employee called in by radio to report a broken down vehicle by the Northern Light Lake on the Gunflint Trail. Cook County Towing was contacted and a shuttle was arranged for the owners.       
 At 9:40 a.m. on August 15, there was a call of a male party threatening a pharmacy tech. A citation was issued to the man for disorderly conduct.  

 A call came in at 10:07 a.m. on August 15 of vandalism at the vegetable garden at the Grand Portage Community Center. Squash and lettuce were smashed on the road and nearby outhouses were tipped over during the night. No suspects.

 A black lab was reported running loose on east Highway 61 at 2:07 p.m. on August 15. Cook County contacted the owner, who will go get the dog.

There was a call of a 1999 Saturn in the ditch on West Highway 61 at 2:13 p.m. on August 15. The owner, from St. Francis, MN, requested a wrecker.

Two boys, 11 and 14 years old, were reported missing at 4 p.m. on August 15 from the trails at Judge C. R. Magney where the family was camping. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue responded. The boys’ father located them just before 5 p.m. The boys were back at their campsite and all responders were clear by 6 p.m.

A call came in at 4:16 on August 15 reporting a party of three males that caused problems at the Sawbill Lake campground overnight. Deputies responded and one man was arrested.

At 4:32 on August 15, a motorist called in a traffic complaint, reporting a vehicle passing on the right side of the highway.
 At 7:33 p.m. on August 15, a call came in of a female that fell on the beach by Drury Lane Books and has facial lacerations. Medical help was requested, but determined not to be needed. Party was assisted back to her hotel.

A party from Ski Hill Road called law enforcement at 7:39 p.m. on August 15 to report a baby bear onsite, with no mother around. Party keeps trying to scare it off, but it keeps returning. Help from a local conservation officer was requested.

A caller reported a lost dog, a small brown and white cocker spaniel, missing one eye. The dog’s name is Molly.

Cook County received a notice at 10 p.m. on August 15 to be on the lookout for a possible missing person, a woman traveling from Pennsylvania to Waterton National Park in Canada. Her son had not heard from her for two days. On August 16, Cook County was notified that she had been found.

At 7 p.m. on August 16, a caller reported seeing a medium-sized dog that looks like the one reported missing on August 14. It was nervous and ran off into the woods. The dog was reported found at 7:41 a.m.

 A motorist called in a traffic complaint at 8:56 a.m. on August 16, reporting that four motorcycles were driving southbound at excessive speed by Cutface Creek.

At 9:54 a.m., on August 16, deputies checked on dogs belonging to someone who had been arrested. They let the dogs out and gave them food and water.

There was a rear-end accident at 10:44 a.m. on August 16 on West Highway 61. No medical assistance was needed.
On August 16, Cook County received a call from a party seeking contact information for two local people, to let them know of the death of a former hunting friend. Cook County contacted the parties and gave them the caller’s information.

Birch Grove Community School requested a visit from the fire department at 1:10 p.m. on August 16 because of a burning smell in the hall. School staff was unable to locate the source. The Tofte and Schroeder fire departments responded. The source of the smell was found to be from a heating unit. The school will contact a technician. All responders were clear by 2:40 p.m.

A party called on August 16 to check on the welfare of a party who had been arrested, as well as the inmate’s dogs.
On August 16, a bank called the sheriff’s office to let them know that a party attempted to cash a large, unsigned check. When it was refused, the individually left angrily. The bank just wanted this on record and wanted it clear that its employees will not tolerate being yelled at.

A party called 9-1-1 at 9:20 p.m. on August 16 because he had received a text message saying a family member had been arrested in California. Cook County helped him find a phone number for the Los Angeles County Jail so he could get more information.

At 10:26 p.m. on August 16, a caller reported that two dogs—cocker spaniel mixed dogs ran away. Reporting party called back at 10:50 p.m. to say one dog had returned. The other dog returned just before 6 a.m. the next day.

A party called 9-1-1 at 12:40 a.m. on August 17 reporting that someone was trying to get into their house. Reporting party yelled that they were calling 9-1-1 and the party took off. Deputies found the party who was too intoxicated to know his address. Deputies got him home.

A party called from Sawbill Outfitters on August 17 about a group of campers who were partying and making a lot of noise. They were told campground quiet time began at 10 p.m. The music continued and they were asked to turn it down again at 3 a.m. Music was still at an unacceptable level. The campground host called back at 3:38 a.m. to let deputies know they had finally quieted down.

At 8:30 a.m. on August 17, a party reported a road kill deer in the driving lane on West Highway 61. A second call came in and said if a small car hit the animal it could be damaged. By 8:54 a.m., the deer had been removed.  

A party called at 11:03 a.m. asking to speak to Mankato 9-1-1. They have a problem with their rental. Cook County gave information for Blue Earth County.

 A party reported a dog in a parked car, in the sun with windows up at the trailhead to the Devil Kettle trail at 11:30 a.m. on August 17. Deputy arrived and was unable to find a car with any animal inside.

A party called with a noise complaint on Voyageurs Point Road at 1 p.m. on August 17. A Firewise crew was clearing a property, but the caller said the Voyageurs Point Homeowners Association prohibits cutting on the weekend. The party called back at 1:27 p.m. and said he had talked to the Firewise crew. They were authorized to be there to do the work. The need for a deputy was cancelled.

Cook County received a call at 1:58 p.m. about a 27 year old male who had been missing for about an hour on east Highway 61. A lot of people were looking for him and no one had seen any sign of him. Party called ab at 2:03. The man had been found safe.

There was a traffic complaint about a speeding dark purple or black mustang in Tofte at 2:30 p.m. The reporting party said it has sped by three times now. Deputies responded and found a lime green mustang. No sign of another vehicle reporting the caller’s description.

A party found some blank checks and insurance cards. At 3:47 p.m. on August 17. Party said they would bring in to the law enforcement center, but did not arrived.

Clearview General Store called to report a gas drive off at 3:57 p.m. on August 17. Car described by a Kia Rav4 type vehicle.
A traffic complaint was reported at 6 p.m. on August 17 on the Gunflint Trail. The caller said a red Chevy pick-up crossed the centerline and onto the shoulder several times. A deputy searched for the vehicle along the Gunflint, at Skyport Lodge, the Devil Track boat landing and campground. They were unable to locate the vehicle.

At 6:42 p.m. on August 17, a caller reported that someone knocked down his drone while he was flying it. The drone operator was on a bridge overlooking a river and the person knocked down the drone with his fishing gear. A deputy responded, but this is a civil matter.

There was a call of a fire on Gunderson Lane in Schroeder at 8:30 p.m. on August 17. The reporting party said the fire is behind a house that may be abandoned. Schroeder and Tofte Fire Departments responded. Property owners were burning brush. They were advised to call Cook County dispatch before burning next time.

A call came in to Cook County at 11 p.m. on August 17, reporting a man staggering around on the lake side shoulder of east Highway 61. Reporting party almost hit the man. Deputies located the man who had an argument with someone and felt it best to leave. Some friends said he could sleep at their house, so the man has a safe place to stay.

A party called from Lutsen at 3:56 p.m. on August 18 to report shots fired at a neighbor’s residence for more than an hour. Party said he had already had problems with this neighbor over other matters.

A party called on August 18 seeking contact information for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for questions about netting fish by her house on Lake Superior. She wanted to know if it was legal or not. Cook County transferred the call to the state.

A party in Hovland reported a disturbance at a nearby address at 12:59 a.m. on August 19. The caller reported shouting and arguing for about 30 minutes. Another neighbor visited the residence and was asked to leave. A small child is at the house. Deputies arrived and spoke with the parties, who said they were just arguing and would quiet things down.

A worker at the WunderBar Eatery in Grand Marais called at 9:58 a.m. on August 19 to report that someone had keyed his vehicle over the weekend. Party was not concerned because his truck is old, but wanted it on record in case there was any future vandalism at WunderBar.

A boat owner at the Grand Portage Marina requested extra patrols at the marina and campground on August 19 after catching some kids stealing beer and liquor from anchored boats.

There was a call reporting a stalled car in the eastbound lane of West Highway 61 on August 19. The call was transferred to Minnesota State Patrol.

The county recorded a letter of trespass from the Grand Marais Pharmacy on August 19.

 On August 19, a party contacted the sheriff’s office to see if they could take possession of the dogs of an individual in jail. They would take the dogs to the inmate’s mother for safekeeping.

Throughout the month, there were scheduled call for service welfare checks on Cook County dispatch from Lake County, by phone or radio.

Lost & Found
 At 12:04 p.m. on August 13 a party turned in a brown Tommy Hilfiger wallet to the law enforcement center. Cook County found a phone number and let the party know it was there. The owner claimed the wallet.

A party called on August 14 to see if a small blue coin purse had been turned in. The coin purse contained cash, a library card and keys.  

A black LG cell phone was found on August 14. Owner called from Minneapolis and said he is trying to figure out what he wants done with the phone.

On August 14 at 6:29, a party reported a lost Samsung phone in a brown case.

The front desk of the Grand Marais Rec Park called at 7:28 p.m.to ask if a deputy could come pick up a firearm that was found in one of the bathrooms at the campground. It was found sitting on a toilet paper roll. A deputy picked up the gun and placed it in the evidence room at the law enforcement center. The owner of the gun called at 9:45 p.m. to report that he had lost his gun. He thinks it fell off his shorts while he was in the bathroom. The owner came to the LEC and the gun was returned to him. 

A party found some blank checks and insurance cards at 3:47 p.m. on August 17. Party said they would bring in to the law enforcement center, but did not arrive.

 A wallet was found in the middle of the Gunflint Trail at 4:09 on August 17. Owner’s name and contact information was found. She was contacted and came in to get the wallet.

 A party came in to the law enforcement center at 6:02 p.m. on August 17 to report a missing phone. He thinks it was lost while berry picking up the Gunflint Trail. He left contact information in case it is found.

A party reported a lost CitiBank Visa on August 18. It was lost last Thursday or Friday on the Gunflint Trail.

A party called on August 18 to report lost black flip-phone, possibly near the biffies in Boulder Park in Grand Marais.

A party flagged down a deputy to give them a found credit card on August 19. Cook County was able to find and contact the card owner, who came in to claim the card.

 A party turned in a small black, bi-fold wallet with an embroidered wolf on it on August 19.
 
Fraud reports continue
There was a report of a scam call on August 14. A woman said a caller claimed to be an officer of the law and said there was a warrant out for her arrest. The caller read her home address and a social security number, asking her to confirm it. She wasn’t sure what the number was, but was concerned that someone had it. Cook County advised the party to contact the Federal Trade Commission and the Social Security Administration.
A party in Grand Marais reported an email message on August 16 that claimed to be from the FBI, stating that the reporting party had died and someone was trying to collect their life insurance payment. Reporting party wanted law enforcement to know in case others are subject to the fraud attempt.
 Another scam call, supposedly from the Social Security Administration, came in to another party on August 16. Reporting party wanted law enforcement to know in case others are subject to the fraud attempt
Another party received a fraud call from a person saying they were from Social Security on August 19.
 
During this reporting period there were 30 traffic stops, with 19 reprimands or warnings and 11 citations. Deputies conducted 33 business and residence checks. Dispatchers handled 28 crank or misdialed 9-1-1 calls.
There were eight medical calls.
Sheriff deputies also participated in aquatic invasive species patrol and with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s Operation Stonegarden.

For non-emergencies, call the Cook County Sheriff's Office at 218-387-3030.  If you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1.