Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Itís vending machines one week and vehicles and fish houses the next, Chief of Police Clark Quiring said this week.

After a spate of recent burglaries that focused on vending machines, thieves in the Forest Lake area turned their attention elsewhere during the past week, Quiring said.

On Friday, Jan. 14 police here received reports of break-ins to two fish houses on First Lake. In both cases locks to the ice shacks were pried off.

The thieves made off with fishing gear and a deep-cycle battery, the chief said.

Thieves also hit vehicles in the area with damage to property and items stolen.

On Monday evening, police received a report of a theft of a Dell laptop computer and carrying case with total value of $2500 from a vehicle parked in the lot of Forest Hills United Methodist Church, 1007 Highway 97. Police were told the vehicle break-in took place between 6:30-9:20 p.m.

On the same night, a theft from a vehicle was reported from the Century Junior High School parking lot. The report, filed by an Andover man at 8:24 p.m., said a passenger side window to his vehicle was smashed out and his wifeís purse containing $65 in cash and credit cards were stolen.

In a third report from Monday night, a stereo system valued at $250 and 15 music CDs valued at $150 were stolen from a vehicle in a parking in the 700 block of SW 12th St., police said.

Other reports

In other reports, police here are:

ïInvestigating two reports of mail box vandalism that took place during the day on Sunday, Jan. 16.

ïInvestigating a second-degree driving under the influence incident that resulted in the seizure of a 2004 Ford F150 pickup. Police stopped Jeremy Pfaffendorf, 31, of Forest Lake, at 1:01 a.m., Sunday in the 200 block of SW 12th St. for alleged careless driving after leaving the parking lot at Applebeeís. Police said Pfaffendorf failed a field sobriety check and was arrested for second-degree driving under the influence and his vehicle was seized.

ïQuiring said police have also received reports of vandalism and theft of snowmobile directional signs on the Hardwood Creek Trail in Forest Lake from 180th St. N. to 240th St. N at the north county line. Anyone observing sign tampering is asked call the Forest Lake Police Department at 651-464-5877.

Tasers now in use

After department training last week, Quiring said city police are now equipped with new taser units. He said the department has purchased nine of the shock units for use in patrol cars.

The department spent $7200 in late 2004 to purchase the units. Funds for the purchase came from vehicle forfeitures and court-ordered drug and alcohol seizures.

Quiring said he was optimistic the tool would be helpful in protecting officers and subduing unruly people during police calls.

ìHopefully they will keep someone from getting injured,î the chief said.

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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