Fargo police arrested a 43-year-old woman and three juveniles early Thursday after an officer said he saw them throwing an object at a parked car, breaking the window.
Further investigation and subsequent interviews revealed to police the four -- three in the same family -- may be responsible for up to 50 cases of criminal mischief and vandalism to vehicles or theft from vehicles.
Lorna Muhle, 3518 Kelly St. N., Fargo, will appear in court today on charges of criminal facilitation, criminal mischief and eluding an officer.
Her 12-year-old daughter, 16-year-old son and another 16-year-old boy were placed in detention and face possible charges of felony criminal mischief and unlawful entry into vehicle.
According to police:
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Officer Matt Ysteboe was patrolling on foot, checking out a possible break-in at 222 Broadway when, at 1:13 a.m., he heard a car on the street behind him.
He heard a loud crash, like glass breaking, and heard a person scream.
Ysteboe called additional squad cars, then tried to intercept the suspect car, a maroon station wagon.
The car was stopped at Roberts Street and Fourth Avenue North when Ysteboe identified himself as a police officer and confronted the suspects. The driver drove off.
Other responding officers spotted the car. It was stopped in the vicinity of Fifth Street and 13th Avenue North.
"In a case like this, it is common for us to interview (the suspects) to see if they are tied to the other incidents," Sgt. Wayne Jorgenson said. "Other than a few incidents, there are not any hard connections that the suspects are involved."
He said they will examine similar incidents to see if this group is responsible.
Jorgenson said there have been similar complaints on the north side of Fargo.
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"Which areas they (the suspects) may or may not be connected with is yet to be determined," Jorgenson said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Meghan Perry at (701) 235-7311
