Cliff Buchan
News Editor

A Hudson, WI man was arrested by Forest Lake police last week after police were called to investigate a report of a sexual assault.

Joseph P. Rancourt, 23, was taken into custody in an apartment in the 200 block of SW 3rd Ave at 1:19 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 13. He was taken to the Washington County Jail in Stillwater where he was booked for probable cause felony second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Chief of Police Clark Quiring said Rancourt was arrested after the father of a 15-year-old female called authorities to report that Rancourt was having sex with his daughter.

Formal charges and a court date are pending, the chief said.

Hugo store robbed

Officers from Forest Lake provided mutual aid in Hugo on Wednesday, Jan. 11 following a report of an armed robbery at the 61 Stop Conoco, 14707 Forest Blvd. N., at 10:57 p.m. A man with a black handgun entered the store and took an undisclosed amount of cash from three store employees. He fled on foot to the east of the store.

A K-9 search led south to the rear of local businesses about one quarter of a mile from the robbery location where the track ended in a parking lot. Police have no known suspects.

The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 6-feet tall, wearing a ski mask and a hooded sweatshirt. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the Washington County Sheriffís Office at 651-439-9381.

Rolltex hit

Rolltex Computers, 255 Highway 97 in Schilling Plaza, was the victim of a smash and grab burglary early Monday, but the local computer store may have the last laugh.

Chief Quiring said this week a store surveillance camera recorded the crime in progress. A suspect who drove a vehicle into the front of the building damaging a door and window, was identified on the tape. An attempt to locate has been issued and an arrest is expected soon, the chief stated.

The burglar made off with computer equipment after crashing into the store.

Other crimes

In other police reports on file, officers here:

ïAre investigating the theft of equipment from a fish house on Third Lake that is owned by John Vance, 47, of Forest Lake. On Jan. 12, he reported a burglary and the loss of an ice auger, two depth finders and an underground camera with total value of $1400.

ïAssisted officers from the Washington County Narcotics Task Force with executing a search warrant at 19245 Hilo Ave. N. at 1 p.m. on Monday. No other information was available from the task force by deadline this week.

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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