Elk River police report: Drone helps police catch man who fled crash; handgun stolen from vehicle

by Joni Astrup

Associate Editor

Police used a drone to locate a man who fled from the scene of a crash in Elk River.

The incident began shortly after 4 a.m. May 10, when an officer observed a vehicle crashed into a median barrier at Highway 10 and Simonet Drive. The vehicle was unoccupied, with heavy front end damage and multiple airbag deployment. A bystander indicated they saw a male on foot leaving the area and heading south. Police set up a perimeter.

An officer deployed the drone in the area and observed a heat signature in the general area of the 18300 block of Simonet Drive, according to Elk River Police Capt. Joe Gacke. The heat signature appeared to be the size of a human behind brush. Officers went to that area and located a 31-year-old Big Lake man, who was subsequently arrested for DWI.

Handgun stolen from vehicle

A handgun, a purse, and golf clubs were stolen from vehicles in two incidents in Elk River.

In one case, the handgun and purse were taken from an unlocked vehicle in the 17500 block of Cleveland Street. The theft happened during the night of May 10. The purse was later found; the handgun is still missing.

In the other case, golf clubs were stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the 17600 block of Johnson Street. That theft also happened during the night of May 10.

Males break into apartment building, drive through garage

A burglary was reported May 10 at an apartment complex in the 17400 block of Zane Street in Elk River.

Surveillance video showed two males arriving in a black BMW. One attempted to pry the lock box off the wall with a screwdriver. When that was unsuccessful, the males went to the north side of the building and the same male successfully pried the main entrance door open. The males walked through the building into the lower level garage, exited, and then returned in their vehicle and drove through the garage before exiting. Nothing was discovered to have been stolen at the time of the report.

On May 13, two people who appeared to match the suspects gained entrance into the same apartment complex by prying open the west entrance door, walking through the underground garage, then damaging the f ront entrance digital lock pad.

Five teens cited for minor consumption

Five teens were cited for minor consumption after police received a complaint about juveniles, possibly with alcohol, walking near the 12400 block of 194th Lane in Elk River just before 1:30 a.m. May 12.

Police located the juveniles and they had alcohol in their possession. The five teens who were cited were two girls, ages 17 and 16, one 15-year-old boy and two 16-year-old boys. All were from Elk River.

Officers notified parents and assisted with transportation home.

Woman arrested after assault reported

Police arrested a 26-year-old Elk River woman after a person reported that his girlfriend had assaulted him. The woman was taken into custody for domestic assault and transported to jail. The call came in shortly after 9 p.m. May 8.