A look at the Law Enforcement Log, May 13-27

Each week the Cook County Sheriff’s Office provides a brief report of calls made to the Cook County Law Enforcement Center in the past week. This week’s report provides details logged by law enforcement dispatchers from May 13 – May 27.
 
At about 9:30 a.m. on May 13, a party reported black smoke in the Creechville area. Dispatchers checked and there was a burn permit on file on West 9^th Street. Deputies checked to find property owner burning a slash pile. The flames were a little large and an adjacent pile of scrap wood caught on fire. The property owner had a hose and an excavator nearby and was extinguishing the fire when the sheriff’s office arrived. No need for the fire department.

On May 13, a party from Grand Portage with a warrant contacted the sheriff’s office wanting to turn himself in, but he does not have transportation. Cook County transported the person to jail, to appear in court the next day.

Suspicious activity was reported on May 14, of someone was knocking on a door at First Avenue East at 3:19 a.m. Deputies responded and could not find anyone.

There was a disturbance in Grand Marais on May 14, a party called to report a neighbor screaming. A deputy checked on the person, who agreed to go to the emergency room for a mental health evaluation.

There were two public assistance calls on May 14, first there was a party who called saying she believed she had left the oven on in her apartment. Law Enforcement dispatchers found someone to enter the apartment to ensure the oven was off. It was off.

The second public assist call on May 14 came from a party stating that the washing machine has been rinsing his clothes for about an hour and he can't get it to stop. Cook County contacted the owner of the laundromat and who agreed to come assist.
 
On May 16, a party called asking for law enforcement assistance with a visit to the clinic.

At 11 p.m. on May 14, a party reported a person in dark clothes with a dark dog sitting alongside the road in Trail Center area. The party said they had to swerve to avoid them. Deputies responded but were unable to locate the party.
 
On May 15, an $11 gas drive-off was reported from Ryden’s gas station. The party was found near Magney State Park. The driver agreed to return to pay for the gasoline and was given a verbal warning.

A request for a welfare check came in on May 15 for a person who was camping off Greenwood Lake Road, 100 yards past Firebox Road. They hadn’t been heard from in a few days. A sheriff deputy found the campsite and left a door hanger there to let the party know to call home. The sheriff’s office will follow up to see if the party returns or removes the tag. The reporting party called back—the husband had been located and was fine.

On May 15, a party reported that a driver swerved into the southbound lane on the Gunflint Trail. The vehicle was not located.

A party called with concerns about children at the Cook County Community Center playground on May 15. Party said five or six kids were playing with an infant child with no adult around. A deputy investigated and found no issues. A parent was watching the children.
 
There was a domestic disturbance call in Grand Portage on May 15. A mother and daughter were verbally arguing. No charges.

A party went in the ditch on County Road 58 on May 16 and got stuck, went for a second truck to pull out and also got stuck. The party called law enforcement to let them know they were waiting for AAA and a tow.

On May 16, the WunderBar reported a customer who was making employees uncomfortable by talking about Ted Bundy.

An abandoned motor vehicle was reported on East Highway 61 on May 16.
 
There was an inquiry about a child protection report on May 16.
 
On May 16, a school bus reported a stop arm violation.

An individual living near Tire and Auto Lodge called complaining about noise late at night on May 16. The county attorney determined this is a civil matter.
 
There was a check welfare call on May 16 for a person in Grand Marais who had recently had surgery. Sheriff deputies checked on the party who refused any medical assistance.

On May 17, the sheriff’s office was called when a party refused to leave the reporting party’s house on West Highway 61. A woman was arrested for violation of an order. Social Services also responded to this call.
 
A caller reported possible misuse of an elderly person’s finances. The party asked for law enforcement assistance on May 17 while the matter was discussed.
 
A caller reported that someone who should not be driving was driving around Grand Marais on May 17.

A caller reported concern about two fishermen walking through their yard on the way to a creek on East Highway 61 on May 18.
 
On May 18, a sheriff deputy observed two vehicles parked in the “No Parking Zone” on Highway 61 near the Devil Track River. The deputy advised vehicle owners they could not park there.

On May 18, a party reported a vehicle on West Highway 61 swerving. The party stopped at the Holiday Station and was stumbling. Deputies arrived and talked to the motorist, who said they had been up too long and were very tired. There was no sign of impairment.

A welfare check was sought for a person who seemed confused in the Hovland area. The party was last seen walking toward Grand Marais late in the night of May 18. Sheriff deputies were unable to locate the individual.

On May 19, the law enforcement center received a report of a possible overdose at a party in an apartment building in Pelican Rapids. The call was transferred to Ottertail County 911.

A traffic stop at 1:41 a.m. on May 19 on Wisconsin Street in Grand Marais resulted in an arrest.

On May 19, a party reported a person walking around the Community Center that appeared to be impaired. Sheriff deputies were unable to find anyone.

On May 19, there was a report of a small tree down across Chicago Bay Road. Cook County Highway Department was contacted.

Cook County received a report of a suicidal male at the Grand Portage Casino on May 19. Cook County located the man and he was transported to North Shore Health for evaluation.

On May 19, a party called to report that he just got back from a camping trip and noticed the tabs were missing from his license plates. The vehicle is a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. The tabs were entered into the law enforcement system as stolen.

There was a car/deer crash on Highway 61 by Reservation River on May 19. The car was drivable.
 
On May 21, Cook County conducted water patrol on a county lake on the Gunflint Trail.

A call was received on May 21 reporting a break-in at a stand at the Grand Portage Powwow grounds. Reporter was not sure when it took place, but lock was picked or broken and glass and debris was on the floor.

On April 21, a caller reported a blue minivan crossing the yellow and white lines in the Tofte area. Deputies were unable to locate.

On May 21, law enforcement received a report of damage to the two-sided fireplace at the Mayhew Hotel, between Joynes and GunFlint Tavern. Incident is under investigation.
 
A party on North Pike Lake Road called on May 21 to report that a gate has been put across his driveway. The sheriff’s office advised that he can remove the item and advised him to contact law enforcement if any other issues arise.

A party dropped off old/corroded ammunition for disposal.

On May 22, a party reported little fire embers on the hillside along Lindskog Road. Deputies were unable to locate.
 
A fire call went out at 6:45 a.m. on May 22 at the Mangy Moose Motel in Grand Marais. Reporting parties were putting it out, but were concerned that the fire could be in the wall. Maple Hill Fire Department was paged for mutual aid, but cancelled. Grand Marais Fire Department ensured the fire had not spread and all responders were clear of the scene by 7:50 a.m.
 
On May 22, a caller reported two people in wet suits out in the harbor. Parties do not appear to be in distress. Deputies observed the bay and were unable to locate the divers.

A brown, bloodhound-type dog was seen running around on Ball Club Road on May 23, acting confused.

There was a report of a blue pick-up in the ditch on West Highway 61 on May 23, belonging to Russell Brandt of Onamia, Minnesota.
 
There was a two-car crash in Lutsen on May 23. Lutsen Fire Department and First Responders responded. There were no apparent injuries.
 
There was a report of a party that was allegedly drunk and driving around on a four-wheeler on May 23. An orange ATV was seen driving into the woods and was stopped by sheriff deputies. Party was not showing signs of impairment.

A party called 911 to report a traffic complaint, but then said “never mind” as the vehicle pulled into a driveway on May 23.
 
There was a report of theft on May 23. A woman in a purple hat put a “bunch of plants” from the greenhouse at Buck’s Hardware into her truck and drove off. The sheriff’s office made contact with owner Buck Benson, who said the suspect is a landscaper who has an agreement with Buck’s to take and keep track of the plants she uses.

On May 24, the Grand Portage Lodge asked for information on a vehicle that has been parked in the lodge parking lot for four days. Registration information provided.

Cook County assisted the U.S. Forest Service with a group. A citation was issued for fireworks.

The Grand Marais Fire Department was paged to respond to smoke in the area of the laundromat on Highway 61 in Grand Marais on 8:40 p.m. The fire department arrived to see a woman folding clothes. She was asked to exit the building as the fire department located the source of the fire.
 
It was determined to be a washing machine packed with clothes and a broken belt, causing it to smoke. Power was cut to the machine and the door was opened to allow the laundromat to air out. The fire department set up a fan to ventilate the building.
All responders were clear by 9:30 p.m.

A parcel delivery box was taken from the end of a driveway on May 24. The reporting party was not too concerned with the loss, but wanted to report it in case it was found somewhere. The missing item is a 3-foot x 2-foot black Rubbermaid-type box with a handle on front and American flag on the side.

On May 25, a very friendly, very wet, black lab appeared at a residence on East Highway 61 trying to convince the reporting party it would be okay to let him inside. Cook County contacted Steve at Steve’s Sports to let him know his dog was visiting the neighbors. Steve said thank you for the call.
 
On May 25, law enforcement received a call of a large husky with a collar on the side of the road on West Highway 61, eating a dead deer.

A call came in on May 25 to report a large boulder, about the size of a Honda Civic, on the fog line on the westbound side of East Highway 61.A sheriff deputy responded and said the rock is sticking out into the traffic lane about a foot and a MnDOT truck will be needed to move. It.

Law Enforcement wrapped the boulder with caution tape and set out traffic cones so it is more visible until it is removed. Cook County contacted Grand Portage Construction to see if they had equipment that could move the boulder.
 
Bobby Deschampe of Grand Portage Construction was able to move the boulder with a front loader.

On May 25, a party called looking for a locksmith as they had locked their keys in the car. Cook County gave them the phone numbers of the two local locksmiths.

A call was received on May 25 about people going around a gate on the Schroeder Tote Road on 4-wheelers. The reporting party said they were worried that they are ripping up the road. There were about a dozen people, with kids.

A party reported a theft of a black North Face jacket on May 25. The incident was caught on camera at the Gunflint Tavern, where it appeared a woman put on the jacket, and then put her jacket over it. The party was located and a citation for misdemeanor theft was issued.
 
On May 25, there was a domestic disturbance call on East Highway 61. Deputies determined it was a verbal argument. A female party left the residence for the evening.

Law enforcement was called on May 25 because four or five high school-aged kids were throwing clay pigeons onto the rocks and into the lake on the east bay in Grand Marais. Deputies advised them to stop and they said they will not do that anymore.
 
A caller at a campsite on West Highway 61 reported a bear at their tent site that would not leave. Lake County took the call and just wanted to advise Cook County.

A party reporting a dog barking constantly day and night, disturbing the peace of the neighborhood. The party would like to speak with a deputy and find out what can be done. Deputy spoke to party on May 27 and explained this is a civil issue, as there is no ordinance for dog barking in the county

A party on County Road 7 reported an unwanted person on May 27. An elderly neighbor has been knocking on her door and acting erratically. His family was contacted and he was safely taken home.

On May 27, vandals threw the reporting party’s flower pots and yard ornaments out into the street on West First Avenue. Deputies helped fish garden gnomes out of the water fountain. There are no suspects.

On Memorial Day, May 27, American Legion Post 413 called to let the sheriff’s office know that the Memorial Day ceremony would be held at Grandma Ray’s on First Avenue and that a three-gun salute would be fired at around 11:30 a.m. This is just a matter of record.

Cook County assisted with getting a tow for a party with a flat tire at Brule Lake on May 27.
 
A call came in about two dogs running at large between the Trading Post and Artist Point on May 27. Reporting party was trying to catch them. One dog is black and one is brown, both medium sized dogs. Rebecca Westerlind called, reporting her two missing dogs. The dogs were safely returned to her.

On May 27, Cook County assisted with a warrant arrest.
 
There were a number of lost and found items in this time period. On May 13, a party found a "Zebra" delivery device on the side of the Gunflint Trail. It appeared to belong to Sysco, a food delivery company. Calls were made to the local party who lost it. The party was located and claimed the device.
 
On May 16, a party called to report a credit card lost, possibly at the WunderBar. WunderBar was contacted and had the card. Card was returned to owner. Another credit card was reported lost on May 21, possibly at the Crooked Spoon. And another card was lost on May 23 somewhere in Grand Marais. The owner said they will cancel the card.
 
Two lost iPhones were reported, one in a black and white case in Grand Marais. Another, with a picture of a male in a graduation gown was lost somewhere in Cook County, possibly on Highway 61. One iPhone was found on May 5, in a black otter box case. It was found by 8th Avenue West and First Street.
 
A wallet was found and owner, from Thunder Bay, was contacted. The party from Thunder Bay picked up the wallet.
 
On May 23, a party lost a small brown wallet while on the Superior Hiking Trail near Schroeder. On May 24, another wallet was lost, a buffalo plaid, woman’s wallet with a wrist strap.

On May 24, a party called looking for his debit/credit card from Grand Marais State Bank. He dropped it somewhere in Grand Marais.
 
On May 25, a party lost his wallet with his Jamaican and Minnesota driver’s licenses in it, somewhere on the Gunflint Trail.

And, on May 26, a party found a money clip with various credit cards, ID and money at his business. He will hold on to it to see if party will come back.
 
The Sheriff’s Office assisted other agencies several times, such as Social Services on May 14 when a party would not answer the door for a visit; Grand Portage Security on May 16 and Cook County probation with a residence check.
 
Public assistance was given on Birch Drive in Grand Marais on May 13, a battery was tested and changed. On May 17 emergency responders answered a medical alert notification, no transport was needed
 
A Social Security scam call was reported on May 14. No action was needed, but the reporting party wanted to warn others of the scam. There was another scam via email on May 16. A party reported that someone posing as a Grand Marais woman had sent an email seeking money.
 
On May 17, Cook County received seven reports from Cook County residents reporting that they had received scam phone calls telling them that if they didn't call a number that was provided, 817-380-1419, that their bank accounts would be frozen and the local Law Enforcement agency would be coming out to contact/arrest them.
 
None of the parties that called the sheriff’s office called the number and no personal information was given out.
 
On May 27, another person received an automated call from what showed up on caller ID as “County of Cook.” The reporting party said it was some kind of scam call about a credit card. The party reported the call as a matter of record only.
 
If you need help from Cook County Law Enforcement, dial 9-1-1.
 
For non-emergency calls, contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Office at 218-387-3030.