Police arrest homicide suspect from Wright County
The Staples Police Department arrested a man who is a suspect in a homicide in Wright County. On June 4, police responded to the 400 block of Roosevelt St. SW for a report of a suspicious vehicle. Police found Edward Zelko, 26, of Buffalo, in the car and found that he was a suspect for aiding and abetting a homicide that occured at a park in Buffalo, in which a 19-year-old woman was found with life threatening injuries on June 1 and died June 4. Two other people were arrested in International Falls as suspects in the same incident.
Vehicle tampering
Staples Police have taken several reports recently on vehicle tampering. Vehicles were accessed and some items were taken. Police are doing extra patrols in the area and ask for people to report suspicious activity.
Also from the Staples Police report:
May 23; Staples Police responded to 4th Street Storage, for a report of an attempted break in. A suspect or suspects attempted to gain entry into a storage locker on 4th St. NE, damaging an outside lock. It was believed that the incident occurred on the evening of May 21. It did not appear that entry was made into the storage locker.
May 23; Staples Police received a driving complaint on the 600 block of 7th St. NE. Police located the driver of the vehicle a short time later, and advised them on the driving complaint and of the city ordinance regarding noise.
May 24; Staples Police responded to the 800 block of Hwy 10 for a dispute over lilac bushes that were on the property line. Police advised all parties that property lines are a civil dispute.
May 24; Staples Police arrested David Blonigen, 59, of Staples for disorderly conduct.
May 24; Staples Police observed a young juvenile to climbing out of an upper story window of a residence. Police spoke with adults at the residence, who were aware of the incident and requested that the police speak with the juvenile about safety issues.
May 25; Staples Police responded to suspicious activity at a gas pump at Ernie’s in the early morning hours regarding a lock box.
May 25; 4 p.m., Staples Police received a report of suspicious subjects walking with blankets and bags on the 800 block of 2nd Ave. NE. The caller thought that the subjects were possibly homeless. Police made contact with the subjects and were advised they were going camping.
May 25; Staples Police assisted the Todd County Sheriffs Dept with a traffic stop on the 600 block of 2nd Ave. NW. Jennifer Hillard of Alexandria and Eric Joseph Woodworth of Little Falls, were later arrested on charges of 5th degree possession of a controlled substance. Police provided cover for the investigating deputy and waited for the tow truck to arrive on scene to remove the vehicle.
May 26; Staples Police cited Dawn Billman of Brainerd for possession of drug paraphernalia.
May 26; Staples Police assisted in removing a snapping turtle from a residence in the 1700 bock of 8th St. NE.
May 27; 2:02 a.m., Staples Police responded to the 200 block of Cleveland Ave. SW for a report of a suspicious person. The complainant informed officers their parrot was disturbed as if someone was near the house and they observed someone walking in the alley. Police searched the area but did not locate anyone.
June 1; 10:22 p.m., Staples Police responded to Ernie’s Food Market for an alarm after the business was closed. When police arrived the building was found to be secure. When the owner arrived, police went into the business and found an unknown occupant in the building. As a result of the investigation, Darrick Bellecourt, 30, was charged with trespass.
June 2; 11:30 p.m., Staples Police responded to the 300 block of 3rd St.NE for an assault that was taking place. Police arrived on scene and separated the parties. Police cited Kayla Zimmerman, 30, of Fergus Falls, for two counts of 5th degree assault and disorderly conduct.
June 3, Staples Police conducted a traffic stop for a passenger in a vehicle not wearing her seat belt. During the traffic stop, police could see signs of recent drug use on the occupants and inside the vehicle. After getting consent to search the vehicle, police found a digital scale with methamphetamine residue on it, a small baggie with meth residue in it and a hypodermic needle inside a purse. Police also found a small baggie with meth residue inside a door. Police arrested Toni Jeffers, 43, of Frazee, and charged her with 5th Degree possession of a controlled substance. Police also arrested Robert Thunder, 33, of Thief River Falls and charged him with 5th degree possession of a controlled substance. Both parties were transported to the Todd County Jail.
June 4; Staples Police took a report of theft from a vehicle on the 1000 block of Pleasant Ave. Between $5 and $10 was stolen in change.
June 4; Staples Police were dispatched to Super America station for someone under the front end of a parked vehicle in the rear parking lot. Police arrived and located Timothy Wieseler, 20, of Menahga, passed out on the ground under the front end of a vehicle. Wieseler was issued a citation for underage consumption and assisted with securing a ride home.
June 5; Staples Police took a report of some medication that was stolen from a residence in the 800 block of 2nd Ave. NE.
June 5; Staples Police responded to a criminal damage to property complaint at 418 2nd Ave NE. Police are investigating.
June 5; Staples Police received a report of motor vehicle tampering on the 500 block of 8th St. NE. The reporting party stated that someone had entered her vehicle during the evening hours, nothing appeared to have been stolen. The reporting party also reported finding a backpack near her residence, in the alley.
June 5; approximately 11:30 p.m., Staples Police stopped and spoke with a bicyclist advising them on not having reflectors on their bicycle, as it was a traffic hazard.
