(VIDEO) Hopkins Celebrates Police Promotions

Brent Johnson was sworn in as captain Tuesday. Matthew Struck and Elizabeth White were sworn in as sergeants.

The Hopkins Police Department is seeing some new faces step into leadership positions. Brent Johnson was sworn in as captain Tuesday to fill the spot that will be left vacant when Police Capt. Tony Hanlin retires at the end of the year. Johnson, who’s been with Hopkins since 1998, has been on the drug task force and the SWAT team—among other duties. He was also a detective and a runner-up candidate for a national investigators award in 2010. Matthew Struck and Elizabeth White were sworn in as sergeants the same day. Struck started with Hopkins in 2000. He has served in such positions as SWAT team member, temporary sergeant, detective, firearms armorer and field training officer. White started with Hopkins in 2002. Her positions of …

• Videos (3)

(UPDATED) Hopkins Police Officer Dies of Cancer

Brian G. DeDomines, 48, died Wednesday.

(UPDATED: 4:12 p.m. Oct. 21) A 48-year-old Hopkins police officer died Wednesday from cancer, according to White Funeral Homes. Brian G. DeDomines, of Prior Lake, was with the Hopkins Police Department for seven-and-a-half years. He served as a patrol officer, field training officer, firearms instructor and Sniper on the S.W.A.T Team, according to the city. He also received the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association Medal of Commendation for off-duty action in October 2008 in Wright County when he jumped on the vehicle woman who had crashed her vehicle through a gate and was driving toward a group of children. He stopped the vehicle and held the woman until Wright County deputies arrived to arrest her. Before that, he spent 11 years with the …

• Photos (1)

Hopkins Receives $242K for New Police Officer

Hopkins was selected from more than 2,700 communities that applied for the grant.

The Hopkins Police Department will receive $242,266 under a Department of Justice effort to fund the hiring of new officers, according to a news release from the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The money is part of a $243 million package “to hire police officers dedicated to addressing specific crime and disorder challenges confronting communities,” according to the release. "Cities across the country are dealing with numerous challenges and we are pleased to be able to assist their public safety efforts," COPS Director Bernard Melekian was quoted in the release. "Creating and maintaining jobs is a key part of this program.  This funding helps support local departments in their efforts to increase their ranks, …

• Photos (1)

(VIDEO) Hopkins Swears in New Police Officer

Rachel Denny took the oath of office at Tuesday's council meeting.

Another officer officially joined the Hopkins Police Department on Tuesday. Incoming officer Rachel Denny took the oath of office at the City Council meeting before friends, family and her new coworkers.

• Videos (1)

Law Enforcement Team Captures Dozens of Speeders

Agencies with the Hennepin County Enforcement Group patrolled near Highway 100 and 36th Avenue North.

Hopkins Police were part of a multi-agency effort Wednesday focusing on speeding and enforcement of a law requiring drivers to move over for emergency vehicles. Law enforcement agencies with the Hennepin County Enforcement Group stopped about 75 speeders near Highway 100 and 36th Avenue North, according to a Hopkins Police Department news release. Agencies participating in this group are:

•  3 Comments
• Photos (2)

(UPDATE 2) Man Opens Fire Inside Lindee's Saloon—Nobody Shot

Hopkins Police have detained a 36-year-old man in the shooting.

Updated 4:33 p.m. Tuesday: A 36-year-old man is suspected of entering Lindee’s Saloon with a shotgun Tuesday morning and firing rounds into the cash registers. Police Sgt. Michael Glassberg said the suspect has minor injuries but was not shot. No one else was hurt. The department is not releasing the man's name at this time because they took him to the hospital and did not technically arrest him, Glassberg said. Police plan to seek charges upon his release from the hospital. Lindee's declined to discuss the incident. A sign on the door stated that the restaurant is closed. Police received a report at 8:03 a.m. of gunshots at Lindee’s. Glassberg said there had been a dispute between the suspect and the Lindee's owner prior to the incident. …

• Photos (1)

(VIDEO) Police Association Recognizes Hopkins Police Liaison

Anne Marie Buck received her award at Tuesday's meeting.

Police Services Liaison Anne Marie Buck is a familiar face throughout the community. She’s frequently seen working with students at Hopkins schools or talking with residents at community events. On Tuesday, Police Chief Mike Reynolds recognized Buck's hard work by presenting her with an award from the Minnesota Association of Women Police.

• Videos (1)

Prosecutors Charge Hopkins Man With Having a Stolen Handgun

The man is also accused of fifth-degree marijuana possession.

Deputies say they arrested a Hopkins man after finding him with marijuana and a stolen handgun. Jmichael Edgar Jenkins, 26, faces charges of fifth-degree marijuana possession and possession of stolen property. According to court documents, based on the deputies' account, Jenkins came to their attention Thursday when they saw him change lanes without signaling and noticed that two of his vehicle’s brake lights were out. They smelled marijuana after stopping his vehicle and thought he appeared nervous. When asked if he had a weapon, Jenkins said that he did, and deputies found a loaded handgun in his back pocket. The handgun was later confirmed to be stolen. While searching the vehicle, deputies found marijuana, digital scales and about 54 …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Police blotter

Blotter: March 21 through March 27

A weekly selection of incidents drawn from Hopkins police files

Monday, March 21 11:45 a.m. — Several items were stolen from a pickup parked overnight on the 200 block of 16th Avenue North. 1:22 p.m. — Police received a report that someone broke into the Hopkins Park Plaza office.   Tuesday, March 22 8:57 a.m. — Police learned that someone stole a vehicle from the 700 block of Lake Street Northeast. 6:27 p.m. — Driskill’s Foods called police after employees caught a suspected shoplifter. 11:00 p.m. — Police learned about the theft of an iTouch from the 100 block of Seventh Avenue South.   Thursday, March 24 10:12 a.m. — Someone stole a $250 box of tools from a van on the 400 block of 11th Avenue North sometime between March 19 and March 22.   Friday, March 25 9:55 p.m. — Police received a report that …

• Photos (1)

Rear-End Crash Injures Two Hopkins Officers During Traffic Stop

The officers sought medical treatment but weren't hospitalized.

Two Hopkins police officers were slightly hurt Monday morning after an unlicensed driver rear-ended their squad car. The officers sought medical treatment but were not hospitalized, said Police Sgt. Michael Glassberg. The department hasn't yet disclosed the officers’ identities. The officers were on a traffic stop near Excelsior Boulevard and Ashley Road when a Toyota pickup hit the squad car, according to a Police Department news release. Frost on the windshield had partially obscured the driver’s view—a violation of state law. Officers ticketed Donis Miguel Angel Valenzuela, 34, of Hopkins, for driving after his license had been revoked and for driving without insurance. Police estimate the crash caused more than $6,000 damage to the …

• Photos (1)