Posted: 7/3/02

Police investigate burglaries, thefts

A series of burglaries and thefts are being investigated by Forest Lake police this week as the Independence Day holiday here swings into full gear.

Police are reviewing video security video tapes from Homestyle Laundry after two males attempted to rob a change machine at Homestyle Laundry, 638 S. Lake St. on June 29.

Police were called to the all-night laundry at 3:30 a.m. by an alarm after a forced entry burglary attempt was made to the change machine area. Nothing was taken and the subjects were gone on arrival.

Police said a review of the security video of the business produced images of two male subjects who were seen leaving the back entrance of the laundry.

Police continue to review the tape for possible criminal charges.

City police are also investigating a felony identity theft involving a vehicle purchase at Wally McCarthyís, 533, SW 19th St. The incident was reported on June 26.

According to police reports, a 2002 Chevy Tahoe valued at $37,000 was recently purchased with fraudulent financial documentation. No charges have been filed and police continue to investigate the theft.

Police are also investigating the theft of a vehicle and a riding mower and trailer from two locations in the Forest Lake Industrial Park.

On Friday, June 28, police received a report of a vehicle stolen from the parking lot at Wyard Industries, 907 SW 15th St. Robert T. Kryphausen of Scandia was the owner of the 1987 Jeep Cherokee.

According to police reports, the Jeep was unlocked and the keys were left in the vehicle. The ownerís wallet was also in the car.

Police reports said several fraudulent credit card transactions were made in the area the same day. The vehicle was reported missing at 4:09 p.m.

On Saturday, June 29, Ordean Stromgren, Ham Lake, reported the theft of a riding mower and trailer from the grounds of ECM Publishers, Inc., 880 SW 15 St.

The Ham Lake man told police the equipment was taken between 8:30-10:30 a.m. The equipment was valued at $1700. Stromgren provides mowing services to the office.

The trailer was recovered in St. Anthony on Monday, police said.

Police are also investigating the theft of a Vanmaer air-to-air exchanger from the 20929 Granada Ave. on June 26. The exchanger was valued at $2000.

As always during the Fourth of July period, police are receiving fireworks complaints. A half dozen complaints were made during the past week.

In one report on June 28 at McDonaldís, 1244 W. Broadway Ave., police confiscated several packages of Black Cat firecrackers and a small quantity of bottle rockets.

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