Police Blotter: Suicidal Man Throws Punch at Officer

Oct. 5

4:45 p.m.—Police responded to a report of disorderly conduct on the 1100 block of 70th St.

Oct. 7

5 p.m.—Police responded to a theft/damage to property incident on the 2700 block of 117th St. According to the report, a thief through a chainlink fence at Ferrell Gas, entered an unlocked semi trailer and stole copper tubing.

Oct. 8

7 a.m.— Police responded to the 3100 block of 65th St. on a report of a domestic assault. When the officer arrived, he found a woman with a red left eye that looked like it was starting to bruise. She told police her live-in boyfriend punched her three times in the eye following an argument about his infidelity. Police were unable to find the boyfriend, but sent the report to the Dakota County Attorney's office for potential charges.

Oct. 9

8:02 p.m.—Police were dispatched to reports of a fight involving a knife and several people on the 1900 block of Lower 87th St. Just before the officer arrived, a police dispatcher reported that two of the people involved were bipolar. When the officer got on scene, he found a large male on top of a smaller male on a deck. The smaller man, Angel Baez, was bleeding from the face. The officer ordered the larger male to get off Baez. He complied. The officer told both men to remain on the ground, but Baez, yelling obscenities, allegedly got up and swung at the officer. The officer ducked, then struck Baez in the chest and shoved him to the ground. He was attempting to handcuff Baez when a woman charged the officer and began to interfere with the handcuffing of Baez. A second police officer arrived on scene and took the woman into custody.

The confrontation began when Baez, who appeared intoxicated, made a statement about killing himself with a knife. The other man told police he was attempting to restrain Baez so he wouldn't hurt himself. Baez allegedly has a history of suicide attempts. Baez, 32, faces charges of obstructing the legal process and fourth degree assault of a police officer.

Oct. 11

4:33 p.m.—A police officer observed a car traveling at an estimated 70 mph on 70th Street west of Hwy. 52. The officer pulled the vehicle over and, while speaking to the driver, noticed a strong odor of marijuana. Upon questioning, the driver admitted he smoked earlier in the day after having a difficult time at work. Police search the vehicle and found a baggie containing marijuana, a glass pipe with residue in it and a mason jar with another baggie of marijuana in it.

Oct. 13

8 a.m.—Police responded to a report of a burglary on the 6100 block of Carmen Ave.

2:56 p.m.—Police responded to an arson call on the 2400 block of 75th St. E. A resident reported that someone had removed the mail from her mailbox and lit fire to the letters, which were scattered about the yard. She told police that the neighborhood had been having issues with juveniles and that she had also found broken bottles in her driveway. She requested extra police patrols in the area.