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On any given weekend  you will probably encounter a group of motorcyclists out on the roads,  doing a fundraiser or other event in Minnesota.  Thanks to a 2012 law passed in St. Paul— the group, if it’s larger than 20 bikes, is allowed to have a flagger and move through traffic as a unit.  

There are restrictions in the “road guard” law; such as the route must be directed by a certified “road guard.” This person is specially trained and carries their certificate with them should they be asked by law enforcement to produce it.  The controlled part of the route should be limited to a 45 mph area, use of the road guard or flagger is only allowed in daytime,  and  law enforcement jurisdictions should be notified of the route.  Road Guard Certified motorcyclists are allowed to use stop-and-go hand held placards and flags to control the regular traffic for their group.  Motorists are required to abide by the flagger.  (Pine Technical College offers road guard training.)

There was just such an activity on Hwy. 8 in Chisago City, around mid-day Saturday, June 3.  

Lakes Area Police Chief Schlumbohm said the group raised a few concerns from drivers— who were detained in their lanes—questioning what the flagger was doing on the highway.  The bikers turned north at the intersection of Lofton-Old Towne off eastbound Hwy. 8 and went on to their meet-up destination.

Officers dealt with two suicides in the past week, one at a Lindstrom address and one in the Wyoming Police service area.

A suspect vehicle fled authorities trying to make a traffic stop on Manning Trail June 4, south of Chisago City, about 1:30 a.m. The car was abandoned in a private driveway...occupants ran and eventually two arrests were made. One person had a Wisconsin warrant and cancelled license and evidence discovered in the vehicle may result in identity theft charges as well.

A caller told police a Publishers Clearing House rep had notified them to send $4,400 to claim a $7 million sweepstakes prize.  This is a scam. Never send cash, debit cards or gift cards to claim a “prize.”

An incident ended up with officers and a deputy involved visiting a Mentzer Trail address in Lindstrom. A party in a boat alleged “laser” devices were shined into his boat and the people on shore said the bow fishing resulted in bright lights shining into their house at 3 a.m. so they hit the boat with the laser pointers.

Two juveniles are facing consequences for vandalism at the old Dinnerbel in Lindstrom. One admitted to breaking a window and the second is under investigation. Incident reported about 8:40 p.m. June 2.

BOOKED

May 29

Nikita Lynn Tieden, 45, Rush City. Booked by county. Released.

Eric Thomas Leintz, 46, LeCenter. Booked by North Branch. Held.

May 30

Raiber Rodriguez-Arno, 23, Harris. Booked by North Brach. Released.

Daniel Kristopher Schwabe, 44, North Branch. Booked by county. Released.

Patrick Henry Kamrowski, 34, Aurora. Booked by warrant. Released.

May 31

Jason   Krahn, 42, St. Paul. Booked by county. Held.

Stephanie Jo Hendren, 47,   Center City. Booked by arrest and detain order. Released.

Andrew John Franklin, 43, WI. Booked by county. Held.

Jackie Lynn Anderson, 28, North Branch. Booked. by North Branch. Released.

June 1

Mark Allen Reed, 51, Rush City. Booked by county. Released.

Lindsey Anne Brown, 39, Duluth. Booked by county. Released.

Damien Lee Fisher, 20, Isanti. Booked by county. Released.

Anisah Mei Slinker, 25, Rochester. Booked by county, held to finish sentence.

Carson Jerome Davies, 27, Stacy. Booked by county. Released.

June 2

James Skrypek, 60, Lakeland. Booked by county. Released.

Caleb Matthew Lancaster, 29, Cokato. Booked by warrant. Released.

Dylan Julien Hagen, 24, Cambridge. Booked by county. Released.

June 4

Zachary Daryl Herpst, 40, WI. Booked by county. Held.

Bruce Allen Hoppe, 58, St. Paul. Booked by county. Held.

Christopher John Jensen, 56, St. Paul. Booked by court. Released.

Drew Allen Wethern, 31, North Branch. Booked by county. Held.

Cole Allen Letexier, 22, Forest Lake. Booked by county. Held.

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