Cliff Buchan
News Editor

The search continues this week for a radioactive nuclear density tester stolen from a Forest Lake apartment complex parking lot last week.

Chief of Police Clark Quiring said local officers have yet to locate the device taken from a pickup at 407 SW 11th Ave. overnight on Sept. 12-13.

Sgt. Rick Peterson said the device is owned by Asset Management, a Forest Lake construction company that uses the tool to measure moisture content and the density of soil and building materials such as concrete.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the device poses no health hazard if not damaged. But the radioactive material could pose a health hazard if the devise is handled incorrectly or tampered with, Peterson added.

The nuclear density tester was inside a large yellow box much like a tool box. The box is 30 inches long by 14 inches wide and is 17 inches tall. It weighs 29 pounds.

Peterson said the box is clearly labeled to indicate the device contains radioactive material.

A power generator and a diamond cord drill were also taken from the pickup.

Anyone with information about the theft or finding materials taken from the truck should call the Forest Lake Police Department at 651-464-5877.

Animals in news

Police were also kept busy during the past week with reports involving animals.

At 2:50 p.m. on Sunday, police were called to 8395 N. 235th St. on a report of a motorcycle-deer crash. Jay R. Voelker, 48, and his wife, Kresti Lyddon, 47, of Forest Lake, were eastbound on 235th St. on a Honda Goldwing they collided with a deer.

Both were taken to Fairview Lakes Medical Center, Wyoming, for shoulder, knee and arm injuries, police said.

On Saturday, Sept. 15, officers were called to 20191 to assist in roundingup five llamas from an area farm that were on the loose. Residents in the area called police for help at 6:56 p.m. after observing that the llamas were loose.

Other crimes

In other police reports in Forest Lake, officers are:

•Investigating the theft of four tires and wheels valued at $1500 from a 2008 Chevrolet 1500 Crew Cab from the parking lot at Wally McCarthy’s Chevrolet, 533 SW 19th St. overnight on Friday, Sept. 14.

•Investigating a pair of garage burglaries. On Monday, a resident in the 600 block of SW 12th St. told police someone entered an unlocked garage and stole power and hand tools valued at $400. On Sept. 14, a city resident reported a garage burglary in the 21000 block of Heath Ave. Ct. N. that resulted in the loss of tools and fishing equipment valued at more than $3000.

•Investigating the theft of a 1995 Evinrude 9.9 horse power outboard motor valued at $1000 from a boat parked in the 600 block of NW Schilling Circle on Sept. 14.

•Assisting parents and officials at Lakes International Language Academy, 246 SE 11th Ave., after a nine-year-old male student on Monday brought a throwing star, a Ninja-style martial arts weapon, and an empty .357 magnum handgun shell casing to school. The items were carried in a backpack with the intent of showing the items to friends at school.

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