Stillwater Police Blotter: Four Peddlers Jailed for a Range of Offenses

Stillwater police have cited five people so far this year for soliciting without a license.

Four of those arrests came Tuesday night in the area of Eagle Ridge Trail and Myrtle Street after police responded to complaints that peddlers may be in violation of the city's solicitor's permit ordinance.

After police finished taking the report, an officer saw a van with California license plates that matched the complainant's description. The officer observed a traffic violation and stopped the vehicle.

As a result, four out-of-state people, ranging in age from 19 to 45, were arrested and issued citations for  violations including soliciting without a permit, outstanding warrants, no Minnesota driver's license and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

In all, three of the peddlers had valid solicitor cards, while two of the solicitor cards "appear to be forged," the police report states.

The police chief was notified of the incident, according to the police report, and "indicated that he would issue the necessary paperwork to revoke the solicitor permits."

Earlier this year, the Stillwater City Council passed an ordinance making it tougher for solicitors to operate. The ordinance requires anyone going door to door for commercial reasons to pay $15 for a license, complete a criminal history background check and display their license when knocking on a resident's door.

In other police news:

April 26

Oak Park Heights police responded to a report of cash stolen from a gym locker at Stillwater Area High School.

Oak Park Heights police were called to a report of a tobacco violation at Stillwater Area High School.

A hit-and-run crash was reported at Walmart, 5815 Norell Avenue North, in Oak Park Heights.

April 27:

A gas drive-off of $53 was reported at SuperAmerica, 14493 60th Street North, in Oak Park Heights.

April 28:

A 31-year-old Lino Lakes man was cited for speeding after he was stopped traveling 18 mph over the speed limit near highways 5 and 36.

May 1:

A 30-year-old Stillwater woman was arrested for second-degree DWI and she crashed her vehicle into a Qwest utility box near Washington Avenue and Orleans Street West. According to police, the woman's blood alcohol content was .21. Her vehicle was forfeited.

Oak Park Heights police were called to a theft report at Kohl's, 5805 Kruegar Road. It was reported that an electric toothbrush and silverware valued at $310 were stolen.

May 2:

Oak Park Heights police responded to two solicitor complaints, one in the 14200 block of Upper 54th Street and the other in the 5600 block of Newell Circle North. Police made contact with the solicitors who had permits to solicit in Stillwater. The solicitors were told to stop soliciting and informed they were not in Stillwater, and therefore needed an Oak Park Heights permit.

May 4:

A 34-year-old St. Paul woman was cited for driving after revocation near 4th Street North and Myrtle Street.

A 22-year-old Cottage Grove man was arrested for third-degree DWI after he was stopped for weaving and crossing the center median on Highway 36 near Washington Avenue. According to police, a preliminary breath test resulted in a .26 reading.

Police responded to a report of someone tampering with vehicles on Churchill Street West.

The preceding items were taken from theStillwater and Oak Park Heights police departments. In all incidents where an arrest occurred, a charge is merely an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. The arrested person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Incidents are listed in the order in which they were reported, not necessarily the order in which they occurred. When names are used, it indicates that felony charges have been filed in Washington County District Court.