Vehicle goes missing, damage follows

Officers were investigating Monday whether people at an underage drinking party may have been responsible for a stolen car and property damage complaints in Leon Township.

The events began unfolding at 3:14 a.m. Sunday when Michael R. Smith, Leon Township, heard a loud noise outside his residence, which turned out to be his mailbox being struck, authorities said.

He spotted a vehicle, watched it leave, then got in his vehicle and attempted to track it.

Smith found the suspect vehicle, which had crashed into a utility pole. No occupants were inside at the time. He then called officers, who came upon a shed in the area with several people inside.

Goodhue County sheriff’s deputies suspect someone at the party may have stolen another partygoer’s vehicle and crashed into several area mailboxes, including Smith’s, a spokeswoman said.

Ticketed for underage consumption were: Wade Gobin, rural Cannon Falls; Ryan Weeks, Kenyon; male, 17; female, 16; Maria Steger, Fargo, N.D.; and Shane Dahlgren, Kenyon.

Mailboxes belonging to Leon Township residents John W. Larson and Harland Kasa were also damaged.

Tags: news, vehicle, drinking, mailboxes