A look at the Law Enforcement Log, Oct. 22 - 27

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office shared a brief report of calls made to the Cook County Law Enforcement Center from October 22 - 27. WTIP requested more information on a number of the incidents logged by law enforcement dispatchers.

A motorist on Bally Creek Road called the law enforcement center at 12:05 p.m. on October 22, expressing concern because his vehicle is low on gas and he is worried he is heading into the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness. Cook County directed the driver to county roads which would lead him into Grand Marais.

At 12:52 a.m. on October 23, a call came in from a party in Lutsen who was frightened because an intoxicated boyfriend was yelling. Deputies talked to the boyfriend. There was no threat of physical harm, but deputies stayed in the area for a while.

The sheriff’s office was informed that 5th Avenue West between West 3rd Street and 4th Street would be closed starting at 7:46 a.m. on October 23. The city completed its work and the street was reopened at 6:02 p.m.

A concerned person contacted the law enforcement center on October 23 to ask that the sheriff’s office to contact their neighbor on Croftville Road to let them know that part of a large tree had fallen on their propane tank. The property owner does not live here. Law enforcement left a message for the property owner and contacted Como Oil to check the tank.

A welfare check came in for a Grand Marais man wasn’t answering his phone. A sheriff deputy found that man who had fallen, but he refused medical treatment. Someone was found to stay with him until a family member returns.

A party who took a wrong turn on the Superior Hiking Trail called law enforcement at 6:52 a.m. on October 24 to ask that her ride be contacted to let them know to meet in a different place. Cook County notified the friend. 

At 1:52 p.m. on October 24, a party called the sheriff’s office for assistance with an elderly man who is confused and angry. Cook County Public Health will assist the family.

A fire call at 5:05 p.m., reporting lots of bluish gray smoke at a neighbor’s house, turned out to be meant for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and fire departments. Information was shared with Lake County.

The sheriff’s office assisted Cook County Probation with testing on October 24 and October 26.

There was a report of suspicious activity at 7:15 p.m. on October 24. A party reported a vehicle and two men at the Colvill electrical substation. They appeared to be working on an electrical box, but the vehicle seemed to be too “sporty” for a work vehicle. One of the men waved at the reporting party. When a deputy arrived, the vehicle was gone.

At 8:26 p.m. on October 24, deputies visited several locations in Grand Portage to pick up a party on a Cook County warrant. Deputies were told party was in Duluth.

Sheriff deputies checked on a man walking along East Highway 61 at 8:42 p.m. on October 24. The man was out taking photos of the sky.

The sheriff’s office received a call from a local business about shoplifting on October 25. A deputy watched video of the incident and agreed something had been taken. The business said it did not want to press charges, but wanted the party to know they were being watched.

A party called in a disturbance at a residence in Grand Marais at 10:11 a.m. on October 25, saying a female was trashing his house. A female party was taken to Cook County Jail.

At 12:52 a.m. on October 25, there was a report of an inmate destroying jail property.

A party called on October 25 to express concern about a property owner in Grand Marais who lives near a path walked by many people. The party has dogs that bark at walkers and act like they will come through the fence. The owner recently put up no trespassing signs and a sign that says “Don't worry about the dogs, worry about the owner with the gun." The party just wanted this on record.

A sheriff deputy noticed a vehicle parked at the “concrete house” on Trailsyde Road in Hovland at 11:56 p.m. on October 26. Four juveniles were outside of the car, one wearing a respirator. There was a duffel bag next to them and they told the deputy they had spray paint in it. They admitted they were going to “tag” the structure. The deputy collected the paint. Calls were made to parents.

There was a call of suspicious activity on Pike Lake Road on October 26 as some youths were working with an excavator and backhoe. A sheriff deputy talked to the youths who said they were working for their father, Seth Jeffs. They said they had a permit from the US Forest Service to dig on the site. The deputy confirmed they had a permit and no violations were observed.

There was a call of a lost child on Wisconsin Street in Grand Marais at 4:06 p.m. on October 26. The little girl was shopping with her mother and grandmother. The adults went different directions, one to Joynes Ben Franklin, the other to the Beaver House and each thought the girl was with the other. While on the phone with law enforcement, the girl was found.

A call of a disturbance on the beach by First Avenue East was made at 2:03 a.m. on October 27. There were five to 10 people by the hotel making a lot of noise. A deputy spoke to the group, who said they had decided to call it a night.

Lost and found
As there often are, there were several reports of lost or found items. A party reported the loss of a small black coin bag with a dog face on it, containing credit cards, on October 22. Information was taken so the owner can be contacted if the item is found.

There was a report of a lost small brown wallet on October 23. The wallet has no cash, but does have credit cards. On October 24, a party reported a lost Chevrolet keyless key fob.

And on October 25, a wallet with a dog print pattern was found outside of The Big Lake store in Grand Marais on October 25. The owner called and was told it was at the law enforcement center.

Downed trees reported
There were several calls about downed trees during this period, starting with a “check hazard” call at 9:50 a.m. on October 22 reporting a tree down in the driving lane on the Sawbill Trail near County Road 2.

There was another tree down, partially blocking the Pike Lake Road at 3:44 p.m. on October 22. Information shared with Cook County Highway Department.

A call came in at 6:20 a.m. on October 23, reporting another tree down on Trout Lake Road between Makers Lane and County Road 14. Reporting party said it was purposely cut down with a chain saw. Superior National Forest was contacted and said they will respond as soon as they are able. A deputy responded and by 7:17 a.m. one lane was cleared. The Forest Service called back just before 10 a.m. Tree has been cleared.

Animal disturbances
There were also reports of “animal disturbances,” ranging from lost dogs to car-killed deer.

At 6:18 p.m. on October 22, the sheriff’s office received a call of a missing female collie with a leather collar and tags. Deputies checked area and will continue to do so throughout the night. At 10:27 p.m., the owner called back. The dog had been found and returned.

 At 8:38 a.m., a party reported a deer standing in the middle of the road on Highway 61, just east of Judge Magney State Park. The party said the deer was drooling and acting weird. The call was shared with Minnesota State Patrol.

At 9:34 a.m. on October 23, a party reported that a big collie/St. Bernard dog came into their yard. The dog has a tan collar with a metal chain attached to it. Party said they would keep the dog for the day to see if anyone reports it missing and will call Animal Advocates later.

There was a report on October 24 of a small to medium sized golden brown dog with yellow eyes being found. The sheriff’s office had no report of a missing dog. While the reporting party was on the phone with law enforcement, they received a message from the dog’s owner.

A party hit a deer at 10:54 p.m. on October 24. The deer ran off, but the vehicle is damaged.

A party picked up a large, white, long-haired dog near Five Mile Rock at 6:43 p.m. on October 25 and took it to Holiday in Grand Marais to try to find the owner. Someone at the gas station knew the dog is Odin and contacted the owner. A friend of the owner came and took custody of Odin to return to his owner.

A call came in reporting a deer in the roadway that needs to be dispatched at 7:48 p.m. on October 26. A deputy responded, but was unable to locate the deer.

 A party called on October 26 to report they found a golden retriever with an orange bandana and blue collar. Cook County gave them the number for Arrowhead Animal Rescue.

Another dog was found in Grand Marais on October 26, a husky with a pink collar. Cook County advised that the dog belonged to their neighbor. They took it over to the owner.

A German shepherd was seen crossing Highway 61 at 3:30 p.m. on October 27. A deputy located the dog and shortly after, a friend of the dog’s owner who will walk the dog home.

A party hit a deer on the Caribou Trail at 10:16 p.m. on October 27. They called law enforcement to let them know in case someone wants to harvest the deer. There is only minor damage to his car and he has no injuries.
 
During the reporting period, there were six medical calls. There were 27 traffic stops, 20 which resulted in reprimands and seven in citations. Deputies checked 19 businesses and residences.

Law enforcement dispatchers handled six crank or misdialed 9-1-1 calls.

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