Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Police were forced to intervene Monday evening when a confrontation involving some 30 youth spilled over to the Lakeside Memorial Park area.

Chief of Police Clark Quiring said officers were called to the park and municipal parking lot shortly before 9 p.m. to break up a fight. About 30 youth had gathered in the south end of the parking lot and in the city park, he said.

The confrontation involved an argument between a juvenile female and an ex-boyfriend, also a juvenile, the chief said. The incident started near Northland Mall, 1432 S. Lake St. shortly before 7 p.m.

The confrontation then escalated to involve more youth, including some who were coming to help protect the female, the chief said.

At the park, police arrested one juvenile on a disorderly conduct and damage to property charge.

At least two vehicles were damaged during the incident, the chief said.

The youth involved in the incident were from Forest Lake, Hugo, Centerville, North Branch and Taylors Falls, Quiring said.

Man charged with making threats

A neighborhood dispute in a residential area on Clear Lake has led to criminal charges.

Quiring said James LeRoy Steele, 54, of 5740 N. 214th St., was charged on Monday with making terroristic threats and possession of a handgun without a permit. He was arrested after police were called to a neighborhood dispute at 9:10 p.m.

Police said the dispute involved a disagreement with a neighbor over leaf dumping. Quiring said police were called when Steele went to the neighbor’s house allegedly armed with a small black pistol and made threats. Alcohol is also believed to be involved, the chief said.

Police recovered a .25 caliber handgun while taking Steele into custody.

Police are also investigating reports that two gunshots may have been fired from the Steele home earlier in the evening, the chief said.

Keep all vehicles locked, the chief says

Chief Quiring issued another periodic reminder to vehicle owners to keep all vehicles locked that are left outside at night and always remove anything of value.

The warning was prompted by another series of reports of thefts from vehicles. In some cases, vehicles hit were unlocked while in others, the vehicles were targets for break-ins.

By removing anything of value, Quiring said a vehicle will pose a less tempting target. Keeping vehicles locked may also prevent a theft from taking place, he said.

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