Newport police reports for Feb. 1: Drugs, theft, stolen vehicle, assault

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Assault

A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges after an alleged domestic incident Jan. 4. Police were called to SuperAmerica, 1624 Hastings Ave., after a Maplewood woman stopped there to report she was assaulted by a man she had agreed to drive from Cottage Grove to a Newport apartment. The man got upset during the drive and punched the vehicle dashboard, causing damage. He also allegedly ripped an earring from her ear and was intoxicated. Subsequently, police booked Jesse W. Miller, no permanent address, into the Washington County jail on suspicion of interfering with an emergency call, domestic assault, property damage and underage consumption.

A Newport man was arrested following a reported domestic incident Jan. 17 at a home in the 1900 block of 10th Avenue. Police were called there shortly before 8 a.m. on a 911 hang-up; the dispatcher could hear heavy breathing in the background. Subsequently, police arrested Michael J. Leonard, 56, who was booked into the Washington County jail on suspicion of domestic assault and obstructing the legal process.

Sexual assault

Police on Jan. 17 investigated a reported sexual assault involving two adults at a Newport group home. A woman reported that she was raped by an adult male. Police referred the case to the Washington County Attorney’s Office for review.

Theft

A 26-year-old South St. Paul woman was cited for theft after she stole $32 worth of gasoline from SuperAmerica, 1624 Hastings Ave., on Jan. 10. The woman admitted to police she pumped gas and then drove away because she didn’t have money, according to the report.

Stolen vehicle

Newport police were called to the Red Rock Lodge, 1280 Hastings Ave., on Jan. 2 on a report of a suspicious vehicle. A car that had been parked at the motel for two weeks was determined to be stolen out of Eagan. It was towed and the case is active.

Soliciting

A 39-year-old Minneapolis man was cited for soliciting without a license and driving after revocation and a Chicago man was cited for soliciting without a license after police were called to the 200 block of Fourth Avenue Jan. 10 on a reported suspicious vehicle. The men said they had a scrapping business and had stopped at a home where they noticed scrap metal in the yard and were going to ask the homeowner if they could take it.

Fire

Emergency crews extinguished a fire on a lumber truck at 8:35 a.m. Jan. 11 at Maxwell Avenue under the Interstate 494 bridge. No injuries were reported.

Drugs

A 21-year-old Newport man was investigated for possible drug use following a Jan. 14 incident. A police officer noticed a vehicle parked but running in the 2100 block of Seventh Avenue shortly after 3 a.m. The driver was asleep and was holding a small pipe in his hand. The man awoke and told police he had been using the pipe to smoke incense. Police confiscated the material the man said he had smoked, along with the pipe, so it could be tested to determine whether it was a legal substance. The man was dismissed pending the active investigation.

Tags: crime and courts, updates, crime