Mount Vernon police report multiple DUIs, domestic assault and burglary; remind residents fireworks are banned

An MVPD officer summarized a series of incidents during the department’s monthly update, including multiple DUI arrests, a domestic-violence arrest that injured an officer, a burglary in the Dyke District and a reminder that fireworks are illegal in Mount Vernon and carry a $1,000 fine.

The update outlined why the incidents matter to residents: several drivers were found asleep or passed out in running vehicles, one driver registered a breath-alcohol result of 0.183 and had three prior DUI convictions, officers used restraint equipment to take an aggressive suspect into custody in a domestic-violence case that left an officer injured, and a suspect was arrested after barricading and breaking into a Dyke District building. The department also warned that setting off fireworks within the city is prohibited and encouraged residents to attend the city’s Fourth of July event downtown.

The MVPD officer opened the update by saying, “Welcome to your MVPD monthly update, where we highlight a few notable cases from this past month,” and described a June 2 incident just after 1 a.m. in which an officer found a vehicle with emergency flashers on and the driver passed out with what “appeared to be drugs in his lap.” A canine alerted to drugs in the vehicle; the person was booked for use of a controlled substance in public and physical control of a vehicle while under the influence, the update said.

On June 10, at approximately 5:13 a.m., officers located a car blocking the entrance to an apartment complex where the driver was asleep, the car was running and in drive. An officer placed the vehicle in park and removed the keys before waking the driver, who showed signs of intoxication and was arrested, the update said.

In a higher-profile DUI case the officer described, a driver was “0.183 right now. So I’d say, I’d say you’re pretty accurate,” a recording of an on-scene officer told the driver. That driver was arrested and, according to the update, had three prior DUI convictions; he was booked on a felony DUI charge, driving without an ignition interlock and driving with a suspended license.

A crash reported on Martin Road was described as a vehicle that “crashed through a fence and took out some mailboxes.” Officers who arrived noted the vehicle had significant damage and the driver appeared intoxicated; the driver was later arrested for DUI, the MVPD officer said.

The department also reported a June 16 call described as an “alcohol problem,” where a relative had been drinking, acted aggressively, attempted to drive and pushed a family member who was holding an 8-month-old child. The person reportedly had a box cutter. When officers arrived the subject was aggressive, resisted arrest and attempted to punch an officer; officers used a wrap restraint system to take the person into custody. The MVPD update said one officer sustained an injury during the struggle and missed several days of work. The suspect was booked for fourth-degree domestic violence assault, obstructing an officer and third-degree assault.

In another case on the 27th just after 7 a.m., officers responded to a possible burglary at a Dyke District building where a suspect remained inside and had barricaded the door. The occupant attempted to saw through the hinges to gain entry; once officers breached the building they found and arrested a suspect who was booked for burglary and resisting arrest and had five outstanding warrants, the update said.

The monthly update closed with a public-safety reminder: “With the fourth of July approaching, we've already been receiving a number of complaints about fireworks. We want to remind everyone that fireworks are illegal in the city of Mount Vernon and carry a $1,000 fine,” the MVPD officer said, and invited residents to attend the city’s Fourth of July event downtown instead.

No new policy actions, ordinances or departmental changes were announced in the update; the segment consisted of incident summaries and the fireworks reminder.