St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Archives

Local Law Enforcement Officers Awarded For ‘Hat Trick’ Of 3 DUI Arrests in Each’s Single Shift

The Duluth Police Department had 278 DUI arrests in 2021, up from 2020, but down overall from 314 in 2018.

January 27, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Many have heard about hat tricks in the game of hockey when a player scores 3 goals in one game. But 3 local law enforcement officials scored a hat trick of their own while also protecting their communities. Duluth Police Officer Todd Simmons, St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff Matt Sobczak, and Minnesota State Patrol Officer Jacob Christopherson were…

NERCC Escapee Located, Arrested Near Hermantown Following Nearly 12-Hour Search

On Saturday morning around 6:40, officials said, King was taken into custody without incident after hearing he was walking on the Midway Rd near the St Louis River Rd in Hermantown.

September 11, 2021

Arman Rahman,

SAGINAW, Minn.- After a nearly 12-hour search, authorities located and arrested an escapee of the Northeast Regional Corrections Center early Saturday morning. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s office, NERCC inmate Branden Russell King had fled on foot from the facility into the woods around 7:28 p.m. Friday. King was serving time for prior domestic assault convictions and was…

Five Arrested in Hibbing Saturday in Connection to Meth Distribution on Iron Range

Three of the five were arrested after a traffic stop in Itasca County yielded "a large quantity of Methamphetamine."

August 1, 2021

Arman Rahman,

HIBBING, Minn.- Five Hibbing residents were arrested Saturday night, in connection to a month-long investigation into meth distribution on the Iron Range, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. According to a spokesperson with the Sheriff’s Office, three of the five were arrested after a traffic stop in Itasca County yielded “a large quantity of Methamphetamine.” They were lodged…

One Man Drowns in BWCA Water Emergency on Monday

It happened at 11:41 in the morning at Handberg's Marine on Crane Lake in East Loon Bay Lake.

July 20, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

BWCA, Minn. — On Monday the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, St. Louis County Sheriffs Office and other organizations responded to a water emergency on the BWCA. It happened at 11:41 in the morning at Handberg’s Marine on Crane Lake in East Loon Bay Lake. Dispatch received a call from Canoe Country Outfitters in Ely advising that a canoe had…

Fire Destroys Gazebo, Two Buildings at Resort on Lake Vermillion

July 11, 2021

Arman Rahman,

Life Of Riley Resort ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn.- A structure fire Sunday at a resort on Lake Vermillion destroyed two buildings, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Life of Riley Resort The Sheriff’s Office responded to a structure fire at the Life of Riley Resort around 1:17 a.m. Sunday. According to authorities, the fire started in a resort…

Northland Law Enforcement Remembers Officers, K9s Who Made Ultimate Sacrifice

For the first time since 2019, law enforcement agencies came together to honor the fallen, in-person

May 13, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- For the first time since 2019 law enforcement agencies from across the Northland came together in-person to honor those who died in the line of duty, at the Law Enforcement Memorial Luncheon downtown. Across the country this week, law enforcement chaplains are honoring the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice serving and protecting. “When a law…

Undersheriff Phillips Hangs Up Badge After 32 Years with St. Louis County

Taking over for Phillips will be previous 9-1-1 Supervising Deputy Jason Lukovsky.

May 2, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- On the last day of April, Dave Phillips said goodbye to his three decade career with the St. Louis County Sheriff office. “I truly can’t believe it,” he said. “It’s like you pick a day on the calendar and it’s like, months away, and then now here I am today.” “Want to go on a short ride?” he…

UPDATE: Man Died Of Self-Inflicted Gunshot, Not Officer Gunfire in Shooting in Saginaw Friday, BCA Says

Scott Michael Jordon, 34, of Duluth died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

January 30, 2021

Arman Rahman,

SAGINAW, Minn.- According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension the man who died Friday during an officer-involved shooting incident in Saginaw died of a self-inflicted gunshot, not a gunshot by authorities, as the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office previously reported. A spokesperson with the BCA said the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man as Scott Michael…

St. Louis County Authorities Searching for Missing NERCC Escapee

NERCC staff reported that Keith Cochise Bellanger had just fled on foot from the property.

November 14, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SAGINAW, Minn.- Authorities with St. Louis County Sherriff’s Office are on the hunt for an escapee from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC) Friday. According to the Sherriff’s Office, on November 13, 2020 at approximately 4:00 p.m., the St Louis County Sheriff’s Office was advised of an escapee from NERCC. NERCC staff reported that Keith Cochise Bellanger (33) had just…

Suspect in Midway Road Hit and Run Turns Himself in to St. Louis County Authorities

June 28, 2020

Arman Rahman,

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn.- The suspect in a hit and run on Midway Road Friday, which has left one victim in critical condition, has turned themselves into the St. Louis County Sheriff Department after authorities had asked for public assistance in locating the suspect. While investigating credible tips that the suspect’s vehicle was in the Alborn area, a 35-year-old man…

Fire Destroys $500,000 of Logging Equipment

St. Louis County is investigating a possible arson at a logging operation just north of Duluth

November 2, 2019

Ryan Compeau,

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Louis County is investigating a possible arson at a logging operation just north of Duluth. The fire destroyed $500,000 worth of equipment and is considered a total loss. The destroyed piece of equipment, the Caterpillar 521B Feller Buncher is a type of harvester used in logging. It is a motorized vehicle with an attachment that can rapidly…

DEA, St. Louis County Accepts Unwanted Medications, Vapes

Biannual event held on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

October 26, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- For National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the Drug Enforcement Administration held their biannual take back event at the St. Louis County Public Safety Building. According to officials, the hard part of preventing opioid addictions is that the number of opioids on the streets can never be known for sure. So events like these aim to get as…

Authorities Investigating Duluth Window and Door Business

Customers paid about $100,000 but didn't get the services they paid for.

October 22, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- If you feel you haven’t gotten the service you paid for from local business: Hicks Window and Door, you are asked to contact the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s office and Duluth Police are investigating the business, located on Martin Road in Duluth. According to authorities, several people reported paying thousands for window and other home…

Update: One Dead in Lake Superior Water Emergency

Two men rescued, all three were employees of Roen Salvage of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

September 30, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn. – One person is dead and two others are lucky to be alive after their boat capsized into the frigid waters of Lake Superior at the end of Park Point during Monday’s Red Flag warning. According to St. Louis County Undersheriff Dave Phillips, the men were believed to be working in the harbor as part of a dredging…

Man Dies of Natural Causes in Lake Vermillion

St. Louis County is investigating the incident.

July 5, 2019

Arman Rahman,

ELY, Minn.- A man is pronounced dead Tuesday after trying to get back on his watercraft on Lake Vermillion, about 30 miles west of Ely. A resident saw 58-year-old Darrell Pfannenstein of St. Joseph struggling to get back on his jet ski in shallow water. The resident offered help but Pfannenstein declined. Later he was seen walking towards shore and…

Uncommon Drug Arrest in Minnesota Happens Here in Duluth

A 23-year old has been charged with selling and manufacturing DMT

March 6, 2019

Ryan Compeau,

DULUTH, Minn.- A 23-year old man is charged with selling and manufacturing a drug that isn’t commonly seen in Minnesota. Police say DMT is a psychedelic drug, similar to LSD. It’s only been located by law enforcement in Minnesota three times in the last ten years. It’s more commonly found by law enforcement agencies on the West Coast. The suspect,…

Two Adults and Three Kids Out of a Home After a House Fire in Lakewood Township

One person treated for smoke inhalation. No other injuries reported.

February 19, 2019

Nachai Taylor,

LAKEWOOD TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Two adults and their three kids are without a home after a fire. The fire occurred about 11 pm last night on the 3200 block of Tischer Road in Lakewood Township. Multiple fire agencies responded to the scene. The family was already out of the house when authorities arrived. One person was treated at the scene…

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Shares Results of Text to 911 System

Once a text message comes in authorities are already working to locate the person who sent the message.

March 21, 2018

Haydee Clotter,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Text to 911 system has been working well for the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office after being introduced just three months ago. The department receives an average of two emergency text messages a day. When a message comes through it shows up on a dashboard with location coordinates. The coordinates are then placed into a mapping system to…

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office

Local Law Enforcement Officers Awarded For ‘Hat Trick’ Of 3 DUI Arrests in Each’s Single Shift

The Duluth Police Department had 278 DUI arrests in 2021, up from 2020, but down overall from 314 in 2018.

NERCC Escapee Located, Arrested Near Hermantown Following Nearly 12-Hour Search

On Saturday morning around 6:40, officials said, King was taken into custody without incident after hearing he was walking on the Midway Rd near the St Louis River Rd in Hermantown.

Five Arrested in Hibbing Saturday in Connection to Meth Distribution on Iron Range

Three of the five were arrested after a traffic stop in Itasca County yielded "a large quantity of Methamphetamine."

One Man Drowns in BWCA Water Emergency on Monday

It happened at 11:41 in the morning at Handberg's Marine on Crane Lake in East Loon Bay Lake.

Fire Destroys Gazebo, Two Buildings at Resort on Lake Vermillion

Northland Law Enforcement Remembers Officers, K9s Who Made Ultimate Sacrifice

For the first time since 2019, law enforcement agencies came together to honor the fallen, in-person

Undersheriff Phillips Hangs Up Badge After 32 Years with St. Louis County

Taking over for Phillips will be previous 9-1-1 Supervising Deputy Jason Lukovsky.

UPDATE: Man Died Of Self-Inflicted Gunshot, Not Officer Gunfire in Shooting in Saginaw Friday, BCA Says

Scott Michael Jordon, 34, of Duluth died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

St. Louis County Authorities Searching for Missing NERCC Escapee

NERCC staff reported that Keith Cochise Bellanger had just fled on foot from the property.

Suspect in Midway Road Hit and Run Turns Himself in to St. Louis County Authorities

Fire Destroys $500,000 of Logging Equipment

St. Louis County is investigating a possible arson at a logging operation just north of Duluth

DEA, St. Louis County Accepts Unwanted Medications, Vapes

Biannual event held on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Authorities Investigating Duluth Window and Door Business

Customers paid about $100,000 but didn't get the services they paid for.

Update: One Dead in Lake Superior Water Emergency

Two men rescued, all three were employees of Roen Salvage of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Man Dies of Natural Causes in Lake Vermillion

St. Louis County is investigating the incident.

Uncommon Drug Arrest in Minnesota Happens Here in Duluth

A 23-year old has been charged with selling and manufacturing DMT

Two Adults and Three Kids Out of a Home After a House Fire in Lakewood Township

One person treated for smoke inhalation. No other injuries reported.

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Shares Results of Text to 911 System

Once a text message comes in authorities are already working to locate the person who sent the message.

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The Duluth Police Department had 278 DUI arrests in 2021, up from 2020, but down overall from 314 in 2018.

On Saturday morning around 6:40, officials said, King was taken into custody without incident after hearing he was walking on the Midway Rd near the St Louis River Rd in Hermantown.

Three of the five were arrested after a traffic stop in Itasca County yielded "a large quantity of Methamphetamine."

It happened at 11:41 in the morning at Handberg's Marine on Crane Lake in East Loon Bay Lake.

For the first time since 2019, law enforcement agencies came together to honor the fallen, in-person

Taking over for Phillips will be previous 9-1-1 Supervising Deputy Jason Lukovsky.

Scott Michael Jordon, 34, of Duluth died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

NERCC staff reported that Keith Cochise Bellanger had just fled on foot from the property.

St. Louis County is investigating a possible arson at a logging operation just north of Duluth

Biannual event held on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Customers paid about $100,000 but didn't get the services they paid for.

Two men rescued, all three were employees of Roen Salvage of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

St. Louis County is investigating the incident.

A 23-year old has been charged with selling and manufacturing DMT

One person treated for smoke inhalation. No other injuries reported.

Once a text message comes in authorities are already working to locate the person who sent the message.

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