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Site of North Branch prostitution raid closed

The North Branch Police are being assured that a massage parlor-prostitution  operation,  busted recently by a special investigative task force, won’t be re-opening.  

North Branch Chief of Police Dan Meyer said Tuesday this week the Oakview Avenue space where a search warrant was executed March 17,  and where three arrests were made, was leased.

North Branch Police have been working with a real estate agent representing the building owner and the chief said it “sounds like they are cooperating” and the space is being vacated.
The three women arrested for promoting prostitution ages 62, 48 and 27, gave New York and California addresses.  Two were held as of early this week, and the eldest suspect had been transferred from the county jail to another facility, according to jail records.

Chief Meyer said immigration and customs agency officials are looking into the women’s status and at this time he wasn’t aware of any warrants pending.

One of three charged in Craig’s List services incident pleads guilty

One of three metro-area residents charged in connection with a North Branch home robbery in February 2014;  has entered a plea to one count of first degree felony burglary.  

District Court Judge Todd Schoffelman will sentence Breanna Marie Taylor, 25, of Bloomington, on June 10 after a pre-sentence investigation is complete.

Two other counts against Taylor-- assault and simple robbery-- were dismissed in the plea agreement.

Taylor and  Kirkeisha Shanell Washington and Jamal Clay-Smith gained entry to the home in North Branch on February 9 2014 responding to an internet appointment the homeowner made using Craig’s List, for a massage.

The homeowner became aware the parties were moving about his house and he called police to report he thought items were being taken,  and he confronted the trio. They exited the home after the homeowner says one of them (Clay-Smith) threatened to shoot him if he obstructed them.  

North Branch Police managed to stop the suspects’ vehicle and make an arrest. Taylor was reportedly driving the vehicle, with Clay-Smith and Washington as passengers.   At the time they were brought into custody cash was located on one of the suspects, and in searching the neighborhood a purse belonging to the homeowner’s mother was found in a snowbank.

SHERIFF'S REPORT

March 22 about 4:40 a.m. Lakes Area officers assisted sheriff’s deputies with a scene, reportedly involving a suspect with a firearm at an address on 320th Street, rural Stacy.  A report of three to four persons stealing property had been received;  but it appeared the complainant needed counseling and was placed on a 72-hour hold.

Lakes Area Police have taken reports of multiple counterfeit bills showing up at businesses in this area. The latest was a report from Central Bank March 20.  The federal authorities are investigating.

March 19 a report of theft of items from Shafer Storage units.  Missing goods include rods, reels, 75 hp Mercury outboard boat motor, three Lowrance depth finders, and batteries.
The Chisago Lakes High School had a couple calls on March 16 summoning Lakes Area Police last week. One resulted in a ticket issued to a student for disorderly conduct (fight) and the other was a false fire alarm.


BOOKED
March 16
Karin Linnea Parson, 41, Cambridge. Booked by warrant. Held.

March 17
Nicholas Ty Berg, 29, Lindstrom. Booked by county, held under sentence.
Xiong Chen, 48, NY. Booked by North Branch. Held.

March 18
Scott Anthony Audette, 51, Braham. Booked by county, held under sentence.
Jimmei Mei Lin, 27, NY. Booked by North Branch. Held.
Fengzhi Gao, 62, CA. Booked by North Branch, released to another facility.
Travis Lee Pederson, 27, Lindstrom. Booked by Washington County warrant. Held.
Thomas William Tolve, 34, Stacy. Booked by Dept of Corrections. Held.

March 19
Anthony Michael Norton, 28, Lindstrom. Booked by Dept of Corrections. Held.
Timothy John Rolow, Jr, 25, Wyoming. Booked by Anoka County. Held.
Brian David Knopse, 39, Chisago City.  Booked by county. Held.
Ronald Dale Lundy, 37, Pine City. Booked by warrant. Held.
Eizabeth Ann Cross, 45, Anoka. Booked by warrant. Held.

March 20
Brock Elliat Palme, 33, Forest Lake. Booked by county. Held.

March 21
Austin Jeffrey Frahm, 19, Chisago City.  Booked by county. Held.
Heidi Nicole Hughes, 35, Harris. Booked by county. Released to another facility.
Robert James Plumley, sr., 46, St Paul. Booked by warrant. Held.

March 22
Michael John Pendzimas, 35, Rush City. Booked by county, held under sentence.
Stephanie Ann Wright, 38, Hinckley. Booked by county. Held.
John Charles Zmuda, 45, Harris. Booked by warrant.  Held.

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