Shopko of Austin store officials say they want to file criminal charges against an employee.

According to an Austin Police Department report, the store's loss prevention officer notified police Saturday morning.

The store is missing $2,100 from a money bag given to an employee for a bank deposit, according to the report.

Fire is 'suspicious'

Manuel Molina, 22 of Austin, reported that his 2000 Oldsmobile was on fire early Sunday.

According to Austin Police and Fire Departments' reports, Molina contacted authorities 3:51 a.m. Sunday.

When firefighters and police arrived at the 405 Ninth St. NE residence, they found the vehicle engulfed in flames.

The vehicle's owner told investigators he was asleep and awoke to find his car in flames.

The estimated loss is $10,000, according to firefighters.

Preliminary investigation revealed the fire was started from a suspicious origin, according to the reports.

Party interrupted

Four juveniles were released in the custody of their parents following their arrest over the weekend.

According to an Austin Police Department report, AmericInn officials contacted police because of reports of a noisy party in room 29.

When police arrived, they discovered a party in progress and cited four juveniles for minor consumption violations.

The report also noted the presence of the strong odor of marijuana, but no quantity of marijuana was found when the teenagers were searched.

Canine unit honored

Tia, the 2-year-old Black Labrador retriever dog, has won an award.

The United States Police Canine Association's Region 12 recognized the Mower County Sheriff's Office canine unit with the honor over the weekend.

Specifically, the canine unit was recognized for successfully detecting the presence of drugs in a vehicle.

The incident occurred Nov. 25, 2002, when Tia and handler, Sheriff Terese Amazi, were asked by the Minnesota State patrol to search a car stopped for probably cause. The dog found 15.5 grams of cocaine hidden in a door panel of the vehicle and the driver was arrested and jailed on felony drug charges.

Deputy Jeff Ellis accepted the award on behalf of Tia and handler Amazi at the winter meeting of the USPCA. Ellis is also a canine handler in the sheriff's office with the dog, Tazer.