CRIME AND COURTS

Farmington police report: February 22-28

Farmington police responded to several juvenile-related calls last week.

March 11, 2013

Rosemount woman charged in Empire roundabout crash

A 50-year-old Rosemount woman faces felony charges of criminal vehicular operation after a Friday night accident in which she lost control in a roundabout at Highway 3 and 190th Street and hit another car head on. The woman, Elizabeth Dawn Nelson, was seriously hurt in the accident. Three others received minor injuries.

By Nathan Hansen , March 08, 2013

22 pounds of Farmington American Legion’s grave markers taken

Farmington police are investigating the theft of 22 pounds of grave markers owned by the Farmington American Legion Clifford Larson Post 189.

By Michelle Leonard , March 07, 2013

Farmington police report: February 15-21

Farmington police made several drug-related arrests last week.

March 04, 2013

Police chase hits 100 mph in Farmington

An early-morning police chase hit speeds of up to 100 miles per hour on Feb. 21 on the streets of downtown Farmington. According to a complaint filed this week in the Dakota County Attorney’s office, the chase started with a seemingly routine traffic stop on Eighth Street. The driver, later identified as 34-year-old Jose Luis Ruiz of San Pedro, Calif., caught police attention shortly before 2:30 a.m. thanks to a noisy muffler. Police then watched him drive through two stop signs.

By Nathan Hansen , February 26, 2013

Farmington police report: February 8-15

Farmington police responded to several accidents and requests for juvenile protection last week.

February 25, 2013

Farmington police report: Feb. 1-6

Poor weather conditions meant Farmington police responded to many accidents in early February.

February 18, 2013

Mustard and eggs a recipe for trouble for Farmington man

A dispute over on-street parking has landed an 18-year-old Farmington man in trouble with the law. Helbert Antonio Zelaya has been charged with a felony count of criminal property damage after he allegedly attacked a neighbor’s car with mustard, eggs and a key in a series of incidents in 2011.

By Nathan Hansen , February 18, 2013

Farmington police report: January 25-30

Farmington police made several DWI arrests last week.

February 11, 2013

Farmington police report: January 18-24

Police took reports of counterfeiting, disturbing the peace and burglaries last week.

February 04, 2013

Hampton man charged with making threats

A sibling’s concern sparked threats of violence and, ultimately, criminal charges earlier this month in Hampton.

By Nathan Hansen , January 29, 2013

Farmington police report: January 11-17

Police responded to property damage accidents, arrested several for underage liquor consumption last week.

January 28, 2013

Judge says punishment of child was not extreme

Charges have been dropped against a 34-year-old Farmington man accused last year of abusing his 9-year-old son. A Jan. 3 order from judge Martha Simonett granted Max McCullough’s request that the malicious punishment charge be dropped due to a lack of probable cause. McCullough was charged last October with hitting his son with a belt, allegedly because the boy had acted up at school. Though he initially denied hitting his son, McCullough later admitted to police that he had struck the boy because he had refused to do work in school and had been disrespecting his teachers. That story didn’t change when the matter got to court. According to the order, McCullough admitted hitting his son on the buttocks and thigh as punishment for fighting in school. He was reportedly “extremely remorseful and ashamed” of what he had done. Metzen’s order also points out that the Minnesota Supreme Court has not outlawed all corporal punishment by parents and “has refused to draw a bright line about what is acceptable and what is not.” In this case, Metzen ruled, it “does not appear fair and reasonable” that McCullough stand trial on the gross misdemeanor charge. Metzen recommended McCullough attend a parenting program and talk to a therapist.

By Michelle Leonard , January 26, 2013

Farmington police report: January 4-10

Police assisted with two warrant services and responded to several incidents involving juveniles last week.

January 21, 2013

Christmas Day fight leads to charges against Farmington man

A 24-year-old Farmington man has been charged with a felony count of making terroristic threats and a misdemeanor count of domestic assault following a Christmas Day argument with his ex wife.

By Nathan Hansen , January 21, 2013