A couple estimated to be in their late 60s or early 70s have allegedly been repeatedly stealing plants from the University of Minnesota Horticulture Greenhouse on the St. Paul campus, according to a police report. Managers at the greenhouse reported the thefts of the petunias and geraniums Saturday, but according to greenhouse manager Roger Meissner , the couple has been stealing plants for years. âÄúThey feel they have the freedom to take plants,âÄù Meissner said. âÄúI gave them a couple plants a few years ago and they feel they can come and take plants whenever they want,âÄù Meissner said. When Meissner contacted police, the woman hid in the womenâÄôs restroom and the man hid in a utility closet, according to police. The couple was able to escape without having their license plate seen, University police Deputy Chief Chuck Miner said. Several plants in the greenhouse are ongoing projects of graduate horticulture students, Meissner said, some of which have taken more than four years to cultivate. âÄúTheyâÄôre working on it for four years for their Ph.D.,âÄù Meissner said. âÄúItâÄôs hard to put a price tag on that.âÄù Despite the couple trying to hide, Meissner said he thinks the couple may not understand that theyâÄôre committing a crime. âÄúTheyâÄôre probably not sure that theyâÄôre doing wrong,âÄù Meissner said. âÄúBut by filling out a report we have something to go on that we can tell them âÄòno, you canâÄôt come in.âÄô If police tell them, maybe theyâÄôll listen.âÄù

Parking gate arm destroyed

A 63-year-old woman accidently destroyed the gate arm and access reader at the base of the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview parking ramp May 14 when she accidently stepped on the gas pedal instead of the break, a police report stated. The vehicle had light damage to the front fender and the driverâÄôs side door, the report said.

Gas spill along Washington

A construction trailer leaked fuel onto the road between the exit ramp from I-94 to the Science Classroom Building demolition site Thursday, Miner said. âÄúIt required extensive cleanup âÄî the company involved cleaned up,âÄù Miner said. The company used their resources to clean the spill and there was no damage done and no cost to the city.