Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Police in Forest Lake are stepping up their efforts to clamp down on theft reports from housing developments west of Forest Lake Airport and Fenway Ave.

Officers canvassed the new housing areas last Friday and distributed informational sheets explaining the problems and asking residents to join in the neighborhood crime watch program.

Since last year, officers have received more than two dozen calls from the neighborhoods ranging from car burglaries to a pair of home burglaries that took place while the home owners were at home and asleep, police said.

ìWe are asking everyone in the area to lock their automobiles and residences,î Chief of Police Clark Quiring said in the informational literature drop that went to more than 200 homes.

ìWe are also asking your help in keeping an eye out for your neighbors and to call the Forest Lake Police Department if something appears suspicious,î the chief added.

During the Friday neighborhood visit, officers came across four unreported cases where vehicles had been entered but no crime was reported.

The contacts with the public are producing results, the chief said this week. Since the Friday visit, Quiring said police have received three calls from the public with helpful information.

Anyone with information regarding the police incidents is asked to call Sgt. Ron Hanegraaf or investigator Mark Richert at 651-464-5877.

Other reports

In other news, police in Forest Lake received the following reports during the past week.

Three forced-entry burglary reports and one attempted burglary was reported to offices in the Forest Lake Professional Building, 1068 S. Lake St. overnight April 12-13. Police are uncertain how entry to the building was gained.

Office doors to three suites were forced open and in one case cash from a money box was taken.

On Sunday, police received four reports of vandalism to mailboxes along Everton and Havelka avenues. In two cases, it appeared mailboxes were knocked down by a vehicle.

Also on Sunday, police were called to a home at 18680 where a stray farm pig was found. Police helped pen the dark brown pig until its owner could be notified and come get the animal.

Counterfeit money continues to be a problem in the city and now the crime has a new twist.

Quiring said a counterfeit $50 bill that was used at Snyder Drug and deposited by the store at Mainstreet Bank carried the colored pen marking that would have indicated the bill had been previously checked. The chief said police believe the bill was intentionally given the mark to trick cashiers who would believe the bill had been checked.

Police also issued tickets during the past week to three motorists for failure to stop for school buses with stop arms extended and warning lights flashing. The matter has been an ongoing problem in Forest Lake for much of the current school year.

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605