December 21
5:34 a.m.- Officers responded to a business in the 800 block of East 1st Street for a report of a damaged window. Officers responded and found the north entrance to the business damaged. Officers secured the business and contacted the property owner. The owner responded to the location and found that no merchandise or money was missing from the business. The owner also confirmed that no further damage was done to the property. Officers are investigating the incident further.
1:36 p.m.- Officers responded to a business in the 2200 Block of Sturdevant Street for a male party, known to be on probation, who appeared intoxicated. Officer made contact with the male party and he was taken into custody for a violation of probation rules. The male was transported to the jail and found to have concealed methamphetamine and another narcotic on his person. Additional charges were added to the male party for possessing those illegal items as well has carrying those illegal items concealed into a jail.
6:37 p.m.- An officer responded to the 400 block of Riverside Avenue for a report of a damaged padlock on the service door to a garage. Officers took the initial information and found the locking mechanism was damaged and a red gas can with approximately one gallon of gas was missing from the garage. Officers are still investigating the matter and the homeowner is confirming any other missing items.
8:36 p.m.- Officers responded to a local business for a report of a driver whom appeared intoxicated and had struck several fixed objects in the parking lot. Officers made contact with the female driver who was subsequently arrested for operating while intoxicated based on the investigation of the incident. Officers determined that several light poles, a fence, an air dispenser, a gas pump and a vehicle from a separate parking lot nearby had all been struck by the female driver. Officers also located a dog within the vehicle of the suspect and the dog was transported to the humane society for safe keeping until the owner could reclaim the animal.
December 22
3:19 p.m.- Officers responded to an address on Cottage Street for a report of an out of control youth. Officers responded spoke with the child and parents. The child was allowed to go to his grandparents and spend the night in order to calm things down.
3:22 p.m.- Officers responded to an address on Prospect Street for a report of a male and female fighting. Officers responded and spoke with all parties involved. The male party claimed the female party had struck him with a fist causing pain and a large lump above his eye. The male party also claimed that he was stomped on by the female party causing his toenail to bleed. Officers offered the male party medical attention for his injuries which he refused. The female party was contacted and denied the allegations but was found to have a swollen right middle knuckle. Based on the male party’s statements and the evidence of the swollen knuckle the female party was taken into custody for battery. The female party was also found to have drug paraphernalia on her person and additional charges were added related to that.
December 23
11:39 a.m.- A caller reported someone stole two packages off her porch. The packages were ordered from an online company and confirmed delivered.
2:53 p.m.- A store reported having video surveillance of a person shoplifting. The officer will be continuing follow-up.
4:50 p.m.- A male reported he had responded to an ad on craigslist.com for a house for rent in Merrill. He stated the person he was emailing about the residence claimed to be the owner and is now in South Africa doing missionary work. He stated he went to the residence and found the owner was home and stated the residence was not for rent and he had not placed an ad for rent. An officer handled a similar complaint the previous week. It is believed the scammer is locating homes for sale on a realty site, copying the pictures and description and placing the ads in an attempt to have potential victims send him money for security deposit and rent. The man recognized the scam attempt and did not send any money.
5:22 p.m.- A caller reported smelling the odor of marijuana in an apartment complex. The responding officers could smell a slight odor of marijuana in the hallway but were unable to determine where it was coming from.
9:47 p.m.- An officer observed the vehicle ahead of him fail to yield right of way at the roundabout and strike a vehicle in the roundabout. The officer could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle when he spoke to the driver of the striking vehicle. An officer searched the vehicle and located marijuana and paraphernalia in a backpack. Based on the quantity, the presence of several baggies and a scale, he was arrested for possession of THC with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was cited for minor transporting intoxicants, failure to yield right of way and operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license.
December 24
2:21 a.m.- Officers responded to the 1500 block of Division Street for a report of a domestic incident. The female involved was arrested after it was learned she had struck a male at the residence and broke several items. Charges of Domestic Disorderly Conduct and Domestic Battery were charged against the female.
December 25
1:23 a.m.- Officers responded to the 200 block of Douglas Street in reference to an intoxicated male lying in the roadway. The male was found to be in violation of his Bail Bond conditions and will be charged with one count of Bail Jumping.
December 27
2:19 a.m.- Officers responded to a hit and run crash in the 2500 block of West Main Street. The suspect vehicle had left the roadway and struck a residence and a vehicle. Evidence was located at the scene, but the vehicle was not located. At about 10:20 a.m., officers located a vehicle that matched the suspect vehicle. Contact was made with the driver, who eventually admitted to being involved in the hit and run crash. The suspect was arrested for bail jumping and a warrant. He was later issued citations.