Discount Auto Sales has reported vandalism to vehicles parked near the First United Methodist Church in downtown Austin.

Wednesday, September 20, 2000

Discount Auto Sales has reported vandalism to vehicles parked near the First United Methodist Church in downtown Austin.

According to an Austin Police Department report, the vandalism occurred sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning, when it was discovered by Mark Knauer, owner of the business.

Knauer told police investigators chunks of asphalt from a city-owned parking lot across First Avenue NW from the auto dealer and church were used to damage the cars.

The vandalism was estimated at $4,250, according to the victim’s report.

Canine unit assists

Austin Police Department canine unit, Rocket, discovered drugs in a car stopped along Interstate 90 Monday night.

According to a police report, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper had made a routine stop of a vehicle near the 11th Drive NE exit that led to a search of the vehicle.

The trooper called the APD’s Officer Matt Holten and his partner, canine unit Rocket, to assist in the search.

The dog alerted on the rear passenger door area and drugs were found.

Lekisha Willis, 22 of Brooklyn Center, initially told officers the 30-40 rocks of crack cocaine seized were hers.

However, another occupant of the vehicle, Victor Dupree Whitehead, 24 of Dalton, Ill., interrupted the confession to say the drugs were his.

Both Willis and Whitehead were arrested and jailed on drug possession charges. Two other occupants of the vehicle were released.