Behind the Steele Star Sheriff Lon Thiele

Chief Deputy Scott Hanson

Steele County Sheriff’s Office

October Highlights

• Busiest day of week: Thursday

• Busiest hour of day: 10 pm

• Total # of events: 1,378

• Average events/day: 44

• Average events/hour: .54

• Average traffic stops/hour: .24

• DWIs for the month: 8

• Permit to carry: 99

• Permit to purchase: 24

• Civil papers served: 115

Willow is ready to work!

Due to budget priorities, the Steele County Sheriff’s Office was un-

able to obtain a K9 unit the last few years. With tremendous sup-

port from many business and personal donations, the Sheriff’s

Office was able to raise enough funds to implement a K9. The Sher-

iff’s Office recognizes the K9 unit is a valuable asset and this would

not have been possible without the support.

On July 16th, 2020 the Sheriff’s Office welcomed a German Shep-

herd who was later named Willow. Deputy Caleb Buck was select-

ed to be the K9 handler. Willow and Deputy Buck trained through

Performance Kennels out of Buffalo, Minnesota and trained at vari-

ous locations in central Minnesota.

Willow and Deputy Buck recently returned from 7 weeks of train-

ing and are now certified in drug detection, tracking and article

searches. Willow was deployed almost immediately into her first

shift to complete an article search for a cell phone related to a sto-

len vehicle.

(Willow’s first duty with Deputy Buck)

November 16th, 2020 Volume 1, Issue 8

Steele County Sheriff’s Office

According to the latest preliminary numbers from the Minnesota De-partment of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety, 364 people lost their lives in 2019 crashes. 2020 Goal is to reduce traffic-related deaths to 300 or fewer… YTD FATAL COUNT UPDATE 2020 YTD compared to 2019 352 318 Pedestrians 38 37 Motorcyclists 61 44 Bicyclists 10 10

Welcome Home Arik!

On October 19th the Steele

County Sheriff’s Office was

honored to welcome Arik Mat-

son home! Arik has undergone

several surgeries and months

of therapy after being shot in

the head on January 6th, 2019

while on duty. Almost 40 agen-

cies were present at the Owatonna Airport to greet Arik before he

proceeded to Waseca where the streets were lined with residents,

family and friends welcoming him back home.

New Deputy Sworn In

We recently welcomed Michael

Diercks to the deputy ranks. Mi-

chael comes to us with experi-

ence working for the Milla Lacs

County Jail, Goodhue County Jail

and Patrol and Zumbrota Police

Department. Welcome to Steele

County Michael.

Driver Vehicle Services

The Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles will be offering lim-

ited services as the division prepares for a new MNDRIVE comput-

er system which will go live on November 16th. To see the full

news article, click here.

2020 Toward Zero Deaths Photo

The Steele County Sheriff’s Office recently took part in the

annual Toward Zero Deaths regional photo. Typically the

photo is taken in the beginning of May, but was rescheduled

to October this year due to COVID. The site for the photo

this year was Winona, with a beautiful waterfront and

changing leaves as the background. Over 50 individuals rep-

resenting Law Enforcement, Education, EMS and Engineer-

ing were present at the event.

November 16th, 2020 Volume 1, Issue 8

Steele County Sheriff’s Office

Want to join our re-

cipient list?

Anyone can receive this

newsletter. If you or

someone you know

wants to be added to the

recipient list, send an e-

mail with your infor-

mation by clicking the

link here.

From the Sheriff’s Desk: As your Steele County Sheriff, I’ll read or hear about an event that

could have an impact on any of our communities within Steele

County.

Recently, I received information that the “We All Play” committee

was very close on obtaining their goal with raising funds for the

inclusive playground.

If you want to see smiles and hear laughter from so many children

with the inclusive playground completion this is a great program to

contribute to. Below is a letter from the We All Play Committee.

“Our final project goal is to raise $1.15 million dollars and we are 94% of the way there! Construction has already begun and will be finished in the Spring of 2021. We are reaching out to you to help us raise these addi-tional funds so that we can truly build the playground of our dreams and include everything we have planned. We are currently soliciting local businesses to purchase playground equipment and the Owatonna Foundation has graciously offered to match those purchases. That leaves us with about $50,000 to raise. We are looking for you, our committee members, to pledge to raise/donate either $500 or $1000. Now is the time we need you to ask your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers...yes, even strangers! Please keep in mind, many employers match donations. If we can get 50 people to pledge to raise $1000 each we will be there!!! Please reply to this email, amandagislason@hotmail.com with your pledge amount. Please have all pledges raised by February 28, 2021.” Sincerely, Amanda Gislason, Missy Ahrens & Tim Truelson -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the recent spike of COVID-19, I can’t say enough on pro-

tecting yourself and others by maintaining safe distancing. Sup-

port local, and stay safe,

Steele County Sheriff Lon Thiele

“To Protect With Courage, To Serve With Honor and Compassion”

November 16th, 2020 Volume 1, Issue 8

Steele County Sheriff’s Office

Submit your ques-

tions and concerns

Do you have a question

you’ve been wanting an-

swered? Or a concern you

want to address? Send them

in, they might even become

a topic in a future newslet-

ter.

E-mail them here.

Did you know?

Changes to Driver’s License data

Minnesota Statute 171.11 advises if you have a Minnesota driver’s

license and have recently changed your name, address or other infor-

mation, you have 30 days to update that information with the Minne-

sota Department of Motor Vehicles.

Minnesota Statute 171.03 requires if you have moved to Minnesota

from out-of-state and have a valid license in another state, you have

60 days to apply for a Minnesota driver’s license.

Suspicious Beeping Object

A deputy recently responded to a

suspicious call in the area of 24th

Ave and 18th St SE for a report of a

beeping item stuck in a tree. The

item was seen falling from the sky,

attached to a parachute. A Univer-

sity of Minnesota student showed up to claim the item, stating it con-

tained a sensor to research particles in the stratosphere.

Winter Driving Tips

Winter weather has arrived which means it’s time to brush up on some winter driving tips:

• Drive at safe speeds according to road conditions, and provide for plenty of travel time.

• Increase safe stopping distance between vehicles.

• Use extra precautions when driving around snowplows by keeping at least five car-lengths behind plows.

• Clear snow and ice from vehicle windows, hood, headlights, brake lights and directional signals.

• Headlights must be turned on when it is snowing or sleeting.

• Do not use cruise control on snow/icy/wet roads.

• Equip vehicles with a scraper/brush, small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain, and a bag of sand or cat litter for tire traction. Blankets, heavy boots, warm clothing and flashlights are also important, as are storing high-energy foods such as chocolate or energy bars.

November 16th, 2020 Volume 1, Issue 8

Steele County Sheriff’s Office

Toward Zero Deaths

Seatbelt Campaign

Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 1,

preliminary reports show 85

unbelted motorists died on

Minnesota roads this year,

compared with 61 this time

last year.

More than 300 agencies

statewide will be partici-

pating in Extra Seat Belt En-

forcement Nov. 16-29 to re-

mind motorists to Drive

Smart and Buckle Up.

Chili Feed

The Ellendale Fire Department is hosting a chili feed on Saturday, No-

vember 21st from 3:00-7:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to get out

and support our first responders.

Sheriff’s Blotter:

• A 40 year old male was arrested for 4th degree DWI, obstructing

the legal process and driving after suspension.

• An 80 year old female was arrested for 4th degree DWI.

• A 35 year old male was arrested and charged with sexual assault

of a minor.

• A 41 year old male was arrested for possession of stolen property

after being stopped towing a stolen vehicle.

• A 42 year old female was arrested for 3rd degree DWI after sub-

mitting a blood alcohol concentration of .21.

• A 28 year old male was arrested for 3rd degree DWI after sub-

mitting a blood alcohol concentration of .24.

If fleeing, don’t leave property behind

On 10/06/2020 at 12:16am a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for

speeding on Highway 14 near 74th Avenue. The driver failed to stop

and a pursuit ensued eastbound into Dodge County. Dodge County

deputies were able to successfully deploy spike strips, causing the sus-

pect vehicle to lose it’s front passenger side tire. As a result the vehi-

cle entered the ditch and traveled approximately 50 feet into a corn-

field. The suspect fled the vehicle, not before leaving behind a cell

phone, hat and Minnesota driver’s license that matched information

on the cell phone for a 28 year old male. A small bag containing a

white crystal substance was also located inside the vehicle.

November 16th, 2020 Volume 1, Issue 8

Steele County Sheriff’s Office November 16th, 2020

Volume 1, Issue 8

MARK GOMEZ

2ND DEGREE ASSAULT

CARL SWANSON

FAILURE TO REGISTER

GLORIA IBARRA

2ND DEGREE DRUGS

ETHAN FRYE

4TH DEGREE ASSAULT

JONELLE HILL

ESCAPE CUSTODY / 5TH DEGREE DRUGS

SHANNON GUY

STALKING

If you have information pertaining to the current whereabouts of any

individuals pictured below, please call 507-451-8232. Do NOT confront

these individuals.