Cliff Buchan
News EditorThe southwest area of Forest Lake was hit hard by car burglars over the past week with more than a dozen reports filed with police.
Chief of Police Clark Quiring said a half dozen vehicles were hit in the apartment building parking lot at 844 SW 4th St. over the weekend. In one report $300 worth of compact discs and a radio valued at $200 were stolen from a vehicle.
Police were also called to the apartment building at 1001 SW 7th Avenue where numerous car break-ins were reported. In one case, $700 in tools were stolen from a vehicle.
A Honda portable generator valued at $1400 was taken in a second report, the chief said.
At 2:14 a.m. Sunday, police were called to 1001 SW 7th Ave. after a resident reported a garage burglary in progress. Police confronted a suspect but the person slipped away into the darkness of the night. Locks to several garages were cut, police said.
Other scattered vehicle break-ins were reported the chief said.
Prowler escapes
Police here called in extra forces after a homeowner reported a prowler inside the home in the 8600 block of N. 215th St. at 9:30 p.m., Sunday.
The prowler fled toward the lake when confronted. City police called in a canine unit from the Washington County Sheriffís Office and a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter, but the subject could not be found.
Be wary of scams
Chief Quiring is also warning city residents to be wary of possible telephone scams that may be coming to Forest Lake. The chief said homes in the metro area are being called by a group seeking money to support local and high school athletic teams.
He said losses from the scam were reported in Ramsey County last year and similar fraudulent efforts could be coming this winter.
Burglary stopped
A customer entering the Town Square Building for coffee on Nov. 10 likely interrupted a burglary in progress, the chief said.
The customer entered the lower hallway outside Country Home Bakery & Deli at 7:17 and observed a male subject outside Town Square Optics. The subject fled when the citizen started to approach.
Attempts to force open the business door were visible, the chief said. Town Square Optics was hit by burglars earlier this fall in one of several burglaries at the office complex. Entry was not gained in the Nov. 10 incident.
Injury update
The Forest Lake man who was struck by a vehicle on SW 12th St. near VFW Post 4210 on Friday, Oct. 28 remains in serious condition at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.
Family members said this week Keith J. Diethert, 44, of 1001 SW 7th Ave. is in a responsive coma and being treated for a broken neck, head injuries and a broken right leg. He was hit by a car while attempting to cross SW 12th St. at 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 28.
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