What I learned from my coach: To be in track, run faster than cops

• Police Beat

Police Beat

Talk about it

River Falls police arrested and cited a 20-year-old UWRF student for obstruction and underage drinking after midnight Sunday, Sept. 16, in the 200 block of East Elm Street. The student, allegedly urinating on the sidewalk while holding a glass bottle of Premium Grain Belt beer, took off running and temporarily got away. He tossed and broke his beer bottle on the sidewalk. Later, at the police station, he explained that he used to run track in high school and believed he could still outrun any police officer.

He added that his high school track coach used to joke with him that if he couldn't outrun a cop, he shouldn't be out running track.

This time the 20-year-old's running skills to flee police got him a $240 obstruction citation. He was also cited $177 for underage drinking, but was not given a fine for public urination or littering

Police also:

--Arrested an 18-year-old UWRF female student for marijuana possession and violating absolute sobriety while she was driving at 1:15 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at Spring and Second streets. The woman said she had been drinking with friends off campus but wouldn't say where. She said she has a medical disorder, hadn't slept in two days and needs to use marijuana to calm her so she can fall asleep.

--Arrested a 22-year-old Minnesota man for theft of a little girl's bicycle in the 200 block of South Main Street at 1 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14. The 20-inch bicycle was a mostly pink "Girl Bizz Free Spirit" make. Ordered to get off the little girl's bike, the man allegedly said no, that it was his. The officer chased, caught and brought the man to the ground. At that point the man became more compliant. He tried to describe where he'd stolen the bike, but apparently was too drunk to do so. He was given a $240 fine and released. The man's 18-year-old brother was then busted for underage drinking. He was allegedly found to have two bottles of rum.

--Arrested a 19-year-old River Falls woman for shoplifting, bail jumping and obstruction Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 12, at ShopKo. The woman allegedly had been trying on clothes in the fitting rooms before walking out of the store. A security clerk outside tried to stop her but she fled across Hwy. 35 where a police officer eventually caught her. The woman's large backpack was allegedly stuffed with clothes that had price tags, makeup, a greeting card and food items including a pack of beef jerky that, all told, exceeded $175. The woman, who was out on bail when the incident occurred, allegedly lied about her name and driver's license. She was taken to county jail in Hudson.

For more, please read Police Beat in the Sept. 19 print edition of the River Falls Journal.

Tags: river falls, news, crime, courts