Crime Alerts

Peddlers & Solicitors
Sept. 20, 2011 -- Recently we received complaints from homeowners about someone coming to their doors claiming to be with a home makeover show, and asking to inspect their homes. Please be careful -- get identification and references before you conduct business with anyone going door-to-door. If there’s any urgency to their offer, or if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Remember that all peddlers and solicitors must register with us and prominently display their City permit when going door-to-door. Also, if you do not want anyone coming to your residence, you can pick up a “No Solicitors” placard for $3 or a free window cling at Edina City Hall to display on your door. It satisfies both the City ordinance requirements and makes it a misdemeanor for anyone to peddle or solicit at your residence.

Although there are legitimate businesses which still send people door-to-door, if you have any concerns about someone coming around your neighborhood, please call 9-1-1. Try to get a license plate and good description of the vehicle and person, and we’ll check it out.

For more Crime Prevention information, call 952-833-9523.

Residential Burglaries Continue
June 2, 2011 -- Since May 14, four new residential burglaries have occurred in northwest Edina, most recently around the Memorial Day holiday, and they followed a pattern similar to earlier incidents of April and early May. All burglaries involved forced entry, outside wires were cut in two instances, and jewelry was taken in three. Two of the incidents happened during the day or early evening. The homes were all unoccupied at the time of occurrence.

There were no witnesses, and no new suspect or vehicle information; the investigation is ongoing. We are continuing an increase of marked and unmarked patrol in the affected areas and remind all residents to be alert for anything out of the ordinary in their neighborhood, including vehicles and/or people who may seem to be lost or confused. Please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 at any time.

For crime prevention information call 952-833-9523.

Residential Burglaries
May 17, 2011 -- Since April 1 we have had seven burglaries in northwest Edina. Force has been used to gain entry and they’ve happened both overnight and during the day. Two included cut phone lines, and jewelry has been stolen in multiple burglaries.

This is a top priority for the Edina Police Department and we are urging residents to take some precautions and call 911 if you hear or see anything suspicious.

Remember to:

• Lock ground floor windows and doors.
• Leave exterior lights on.
• Keep overhead garage doors down, and both exterior and interior service doors locked.
• Place lights and radios on timers to create the appearance of activity within home.
• Remove jewelry from master bedroom before you leave town.

Start a Neighbors’ Home Watch group in your neighborhood, look out for each other and increase your level of awareness while enhancing communication with neighbors and the police department.

For a Security Survey of your home or to start a Neighbors’ Home Watch group, contact Crime Prevention Coordinator Kaylin Martin at 952-833-9523 or kmartin@ci.edina.mn.us.

Robbery at Edina Market
Dec. 2, 2010 -- On Wednesday evening Dec. 1 at about 5:15 p.m., a white male entered the Edina Market at 71st and Amundson Avenue, displayed what appeared to be a black semi-automatic handgun and demanded money from the cashier. The cashier complied with the demand and the suspect left the store. There was no one else in the store and there were no injuries.

The suspect is described as a white male in his 20s, approximately 5’11”, 200 lbs., wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a green puffy jacket over it, jeans and brown boots. The suspect vehicle is described as small and rounded, 4 doors, light tan, with the driver side rear small window broken out.

The suspect may have been involved in two similar incidents in South St. Paul at a convenience store/gas station near Concord St. and Richmond. These occurred on Nov. 25 and Dec. 1.

If you have any information about the suspect or incidents, please contact Det. David Carlson in Edina at 952-826-1600 or South St. Paul Police Chief Daniel Vujovich at 651-554-3300, both are 24-hour numbers.

Bank Robberies
Oct. 7, 2010 -- There have been 5 bank robberies between Aug. 24 and Sept. 20 in the metro area -- Champlin, Chanhassen, Lakeville, Plymouth and Robbinsdale. They have occurred in the morning as employees are opening the bank doors, and in multiple cases the suspects demand to be let into the vault and the employees have been bound with tape.

Two suspects: black male, 5’8”-6’, heavy build, and black male, 5’8”-5’10”, slim build. Both wear dark clothes, ski masks, hooded sweatshirts and sometimes backpacks.

Please be alert to any unusual people or activity in your bank or parking lot. This includes cars circling the area, or parked with someone in them for an extended period, people in the bank who don’t conduct business or who just ask for directions or unusual questions, or who seem more interested in their surroundings than banking.

Please review your opening procedures, and adjust for extra security, good visibility and good communication.

If you see anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1, we’ll check it out.

Any questions, call Det. Vik Konters, 952-826-0486.

Vandalism to Churches
June 9, 2010 -- During the past week, there have been eight incidents of vandalism at local churches west of Minnesota Highway 100. Reddish -brown paint has been sprayed on the walls of Good Samaritan, St. Patrick's, Jehovah's Witnesses, Normandale Lutheran, Crossview, Colonial and St. Alban's churches. Two images have been sprayed: one is the number 81 with a circle around it, and the other is a heart with the letters SMS and some other characters inside.

If you have any information about these incidents, call Det. Vik Konters at 952 -826-0486. Please keep your eyes and ears open, especially if you live near a church, and call 9-1-1 if you see or hear anything suspicious.

Thefts from Autos & Vehicle Tampering
June 2, 2010 - During the overnight hours over the past few weeks, multiple vehicles in the area from Sunnyside Road south to approximately 60th Street were entered. In certain cases, various items such as credits cards, cash, purses, wallets and electronics were stolen from unlocked vehicles parked in driveways.

The Police Department has increased patrol in these areas, but also asks for the public’s assistance to help catch those responsible. Please call 9-1-1 whenever you see or hear anything suspicious. Install outdoor motions lights in all vulnerable areas. Most importantly, remove all valuables and lock car doors.

Click here to view specific theft locations.

Graffiti
April 21, 2010 - During the past week there have been multiple incidents of Graffiti/Tagging on property in the area of France Avenue between 71st Street and 75th Street. Typically this type of property damage is done by juveniles who tend to strike in the late night hours.

The Edina Police Department is increasing patrol in the area and urges business owners and residents to call 9-1-1 if you see or hear anything suspicious. Edina does enforce a curfew for juveniles. For more information, visit the Edina Police Department FAQ Page.

The Edina Police Department encourages all property owners to remove all graffiti promptly; this is one of the most effective ways to reduce future Graffiti/Tagging.

Attempted Luring - McGuire Road at the south end of McGuire Park
Dec. 2, 2009 - A 12-year-old boy reported an attempted luring incident on Dec. 2, 2009. The attempt occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. on McGuire Road at the south end of McGuire Park. The suspect, described as a Hispanic male, 25-35, with a patch-like goatee, called to the boy as he went past the car and asked if he wanted a ride. The boy immediately fled the scene and called police from his home. The vehicle was black, possibly a Pontiac Grand Prix, with Minnesota license plates, and may have been seen in the area the next day.

The incident is under investigation and the area has extra patrol. Parents are encouraged to remind children that they don’t have to even stop for, much less talk with strangers, and to call 9-1-1 anytime they see something suspicious.

If you have any information about the incident or the suspect, please call the Edina Police Department 24 hours/day at 952-826-1600.

Reward Offered in Attempted Robbery
Oct. 27, 2009 - Shortly after 10 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 24, a 19-year-old woman in the 5900 block of Abbott Avenue was confronted in the alley behind her house by a 30-35-year-old black male who demanded money. The woman said she didn’t have any money and the suspect then struck her in the face.

The man fled west on foot and was described as approximately 6 feet tall, 210-230 lbs., with a slight beard. He was wearing a dark blue or black hoody, dark baseball hat and smelled of alcohol.

The Edina Crime Prevention Fund is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the apprehension, arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the attempted robbery.

The Fund is the sole judge of any point of contention regarding the reward, and its decision on any issue connected with the reward is final.

If you have any information regarding this incident or suspects, contact Chief of Police Mike Siitari at 952-826-1600, 24-hours-a-day. Your identity may remain confidential.

Attempted Robbery – Abbott Avenue
Oct. 26, 2009 - Shortly after 10 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 24, a 19-year-old woman in the 5900 block of Abbott Avenue was confronted in the alley behind her house by a 30-35-year-old black male who demanded money. The woman said she didn’t have any money and the suspect then struck her in the face.

The man fled west on foot and was described as approximately 6 feet tall, 210-230 lbs., with a slight beard. He was wearing a dark blue or black hoody, dark baseball hat and smelled of alcohol.

The Edina Police Department has added intensive patrol to the area and asks for the help of the public in identifying and locating the suspect. If you have any information about this incident or suspect, please contact Edina Police at 952-826-1600, 24-hours-a-day.

Thefts from cars reported in Cornelia School area
July 30, 2009 - Multiple vehicles were entered in the early morning of July 28 on several streets including Bristol, Claremont, Cornelia, Andover and Kellogg, south of 70th Street. Credit cards and cash were the primary losses, but a portable DVD player, cell phone and prescription medicine were also stolen from these unlocked vehicles parked in driveways.

This type of theft is often a crime of opportunity, and often it’s juveniles out late at night, finding unlocked cars and quickly searching the console, under the seats, and grabbing anything portable and/or visible. Unfortunately, no one heard or saw anything on those nights -- no barking dogs, slamming doors, people walking through yards, squealing tires or anything else out of the ordinary. There are no suspects, and the only very slim lead is a bag of Dove chocolate left behind by the thieves in one of the cars.

The Edina Police Department is increasing patrol in the area and urges everyone to remove all valuables from their vehicles (including the garage door opener), lock the doors, and don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 if they see or hear anything suspicious. If you have driveway lighting, leave it on if you leave your car out. Also remember there is a curfew for juveniles in Edina and you can find it on the Police Department’s FAQ page.

Thefts from Autos
Jan. 22, 2009 -- During the overnight hours of Jan. 21 and 22, more than 20 vehicles in four different locations on the west side of Edina were entered and various items such as global positioning systems, laptops, briefcases or purses were stolen. Generally, these thefts occurred in the underground garages of multiple-unit dwellings.

The Police Department is making every effort to capture these individuals. We are increasing patrol in these areas and are asking for the public’s assistance to help catch those responsible.

Chief of Police Mike Siitari reminds all residents of the importance of calling “911 any time you see anything suspicious. And, if you use an underground garage, be sure you pay attention to who’s driving in behind you. Remove all valuables and lock the car doors."

Children approached by stranger near City park
Type of incident - Children approached by stranger
Date/time occurred – Saturday, Jan. 3, approximately 4:30 p.m.
Incident location - near Normandale Park, 66th Street and Warren Avenue

Details of incident - Two children were approached by a white male with a long beard who asked if they wanted a ride home. The man was driving a silver-colored, two-door sedan, possibly an older model; the children did not get in the car and ran away. Prior to the incident, the vehicle had been seen driving back and forth in the area.

Officers have increased their patrol in park areas. If you have any information about this incident, the vehicle or male subject, please call Edina Police Department at 952-826-1600, 24 hours per day.

Please remind children that they don’t have to talk with strangers, and they should never accept rides from strangers under any conditions. If they are approached, children should find responsible adults as fast as possible and report the incident using 9-1-1.