Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Yes, those were the sounds of a helicopter buzzing the sky of Forest Lake early Tuesday morning.

Police in Forest Lake called in a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter after receiving a report from the public of juveniles on the roof at Southwest Junior High School, 943 SW 9th Ave. at 1:07 a.m.

Chief of Police Clark Quiring said three Forest Lake officers were sent to the school and the MSP helicopter was also requested. He said police feared a burglary in progress or another round of vandalism against school property.

At the scene, officers found one adult male in the parking lot with five companions on the school roof. With the helicopter buzzing from above, three adult males voluntarily came down from the roof but officers had to go up to remove two females who did not come down on their own, the chief said.

Police found no damage to the school but issued five citations for trespassing against the five individuals who were on the roof. The individual waiting in the parking lot was not charged.

Other than being bored, the chief said police couldnít explain the motivation for the late-night roof climbing.

ìIt (the roof of a school) was not where you should be at 1 in the morning,î Quiring said.

All face fines in excess of $100, the chief said.

Strange but true

In another report from the strange but true department, police here helped rescue a cat that was found with its head stuck inside a peanut butter jar.

Officer Sue DeJonker was called to 22755 Janero Ave. N. at 6:19 p.m. on July 9 where she assisted the rescue effort. When the cat was freed from its peanut butter jar trap, it quickly fled the scene, the chief said.

Other reports

In other police department reports, officers here:

ïArrested Jordan M. Norring, 24, of Pine City, on a charge of trespassing and driving after suspension after police were called to 660 SW 12th St. to investigate a report of an unwanted man. Police said Norring tried to evade police but was found in a car wearing a wig and baseball cap before he was taken into custody on July 9.

ïReceived a report of a truck stolen from the parking lot of Champion Auto, 107 SW 12th St. on July 9. A St. Paul woman who works at the store told police her 2000 Ford F150 extended cab pickup valued at $10,000 was stolen while she worked her shift.

ïAssisted at three rollover accidents during the past week where minor injuries were reported. The chief said drivers falling asleep is a likely cause in all three crashes.

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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