Richland County Sheriff's Office

Make EVERY Day A Drug-Take Back Day

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ALWAYS AVAILABLE… EASY TO USE… SAFE… EVERY DAY.

MedReturn is committed to providing a safe, simple, secure and environmentally friendly way to help law enforcement agencies and communities collect unwanted or expired household medication, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and unused pharmaceuticals in locations throughout the U.S.A.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has MedReturn boxes located on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse in the Sheriff’s Department lobby.

We accept: Prescription patches, medications and ointments; OTC meds, vitamins & supplements, samples, pet meds, liquid meds in leakproof containers, homeopathic remedies, suppositories.

We do not accept: Needles or sharps, syringes with needles, thermometers, IV bags, bloody or infectious waste, personal care products, empty containers, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol cans, inhalers, medication from businesses.

Alert Off-Duty Deputy Leads to Drug Arrests

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Chief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department reports that two men were arrested over the weekend on various drug related charges.

Kiefer J. Beran, 27, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Felony Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resisting/Obstructing an Officer.

Logan J. Lenz, 27 of Arena, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Chief Clements stated that the investigation started when Kiefer Beran was seen in the Richland Center Walmart by an off-duty Deputy of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, who was familiar with Beran through numerous police contacts.  The Deputy was also aware that Beran had an active arrest warrant through the Department of Corrections (DOC).

The Deputy then contacted on-duty Officers with the Richland Center Police Department and informed them of Beran’s location.  On duty Officers from the Richland Center Police Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Department were able to make contact with Beran after conducting a traffic stop of the vehicle that he was a passenger in.

Beran was then taken into custody on the DOC warrant. The subsequent investigation found Beran to be in possession of numerous items associated with the injection of controlled substances.  Also, found in Beran’s jacket were a loaded syringe and four (4) separate baggies containing methamphetamine with a combined weight of 15.1 grams.  In addition, Beran was also found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana.  The driver of the vehicle, Logan Lenz, was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.

All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Chief Clements states that this investigation was the result of the diligence of the off-duty Deputy. Chief Clements also commented on the sound law enforcement tactics displayed by Officers and Deputies on patrol who responded, which allowed them to apprehend Beran on the DOC warrant and then conduct a thorough investigation that resulted in numerous charges and a substantial amount of methamphetamine being taken off the street.

Any citizen who has information concerning any illegal activity is encouraged to call the Richland Center Police Department at 608-647-2103 or the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 608-647-2016.  Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Richland Area Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583) and may be eligible for a cash reward.

 

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Fire Investigation Leads to Drug Arrests

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Chief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department reports that, on 2-24-19, Officers responded to a residential house fire at 1152 N. Central Ave., in the City of Richland Center.

Upon contact with the residence, Officers located the renter of the home, who had been the sole occupant of the residence, in her vehicle outside. Officers observed indications of fire within the residence, but were unable to enter because of the smoke. The Richland Center Fire Department was requested and was able to extinguish the fire, containing it to a bedroom. The rest of the residence suffered moderate smoke damage.

During the subsequent investigation, Officers located a small amount of suspected methamphetamine and items recognized by Officers to be used to ingest methamphetamine. The renter was questioned and admitted to the possession of the drug and drug related items. The source of the fire was investigated by Deputy State Fire Marshals from the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, in conjunction with RCPD and RCFD officials, and no evidence of intentional arson was found.

As a result of the investigation, Ronda K. Leffler, 53 of Richland Center, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Felony Bail Jumping.

All of the above listed drug related charges also carry a potential penalty enhancer because the offences took place within 1,000 feet of a park. All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

In addition to the RCFD and the State Fire Marshals, Officers were assisted on scene by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County EMS, Richland Center City Utilities, and the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.

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High Visibility Seatbelt Enforcement

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Date: February 11, 2019
For more information contact: Sheriff James J. Bindl  608-647-2106

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department to mobilize for a High Visibility Seatbelt Enforcement campaign beginning in February.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department, along with The Viola Police Department and The Lone Rock Police Department will join hundreds of other law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin for a safety belt enforcement campaign throughout 2019.

“We enforce Wisconsin’s mandatory safety belt law – not to write citations – but to help save lives and prevent needless injuries,” said Sheriff Bindl. “Right now in Wisconsin, we know that about nine of 10 motorists consistently wear a safety belt. We also know that the 10 percent who fail to buckle up account for nearly half of the drivers and passengers killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes each year.”

The state’s safety belt use rate of 89.4 percent is the highest ever, but still lags behind the national average. Last year in Wisconsin, there were 58,899 traffic convictions for failure to fasten a seat belt.

In Wisconsin, law enforcement officers can stop and cite motorists for failing to wear a safety belt. In addition, drivers can be cited for every unbuckled passenger in their vehicle. “Again, this is about preventing injuries and saving lives,” Sheriff Bindl said. “Before hitting the road, drivers need to ensure that everyone is buckled up, every seat, every trip.”

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#ClickItOrTicket

House extensively damaged by fire in the Village of Gotham

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The Richland County Communications Center received a 911 call at 7:22pm of a house on fire at 32793 Fulton Street in Gotham, Wisconsin. The Lone Rock Fire Department, Lone Rock EMS and Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies responded. Flames were visible from the structure as units arrived. A mutual aid request was put out for the Richland Center and Muscoda Fire Departments to assist. Firefighters battling the blaze also fought single digit temperatures and very strong winds. The house, owned by Scott and Vicki Sander and occupied by Steven Baker and Nichole Weiland, sustained extensive damage. The occupants escaped injury. Fire units were on the scene for about 5 hours. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

 

Richland County shows solidarity for fallen Milwaukee Officer

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Deputies of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are wearing black mourning bands across their badges in honor of the Milwaukee Police Department Officer who was killed in the line of duty yesterday. Law Enforcement everywhere mourn the death of this brother in blue who gave the ultimate sacrifice protecting the citizens of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Our prayers are with his family, and our brothers and sisters at the Milwaukee Police Department.

Two Car Crash with Injuries

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On 01/18/19 Richland County Dispatch received the report of a 2 vehicle crash on County Hwy N just east of the city of Richland Center.  Law Enforcement as well as Fire and EMS responded to the scene.

The driver of the full sized van, identified as Jaron Neunschwander-Luebke age 26 of Richland Center, was westbound on County Hwy N when he lost control of his vehicle negotiating a down hill curve and crossed the center line into the path of an eastbound Dodge mini van, operated by 39 yr old Scott Coppernoll of Richland Center.  The vehicles collided head on with the Ford van coming to rest on the north edge of the highway and the mini van resting in the south ditch.

Scott Coppernoll, his 37 year old wife Kelly Coppernoll and their four children were injured in the crash, as was the other operator, Jaron Neunschwander-Luebke. Scott and Kelly Coppernoll were trapped in the wreckage and were extricated by the Richland Center Fire Department’s Jaws of Life.  All injured parties were transported to the Richland Hospital by Richland County EMS and Baraboo EMS.  Jaron Neunschwander-Luebke and the four juveniles were treated and released.  Scott and Kelly Coppernoll were transported by Baraboo EMS to UW Hospital in Madison where they are listed in stable condition.

Jaron Neunschwander-Luebke was arrested and charged with operating while revoked causing great bodily harm.  The charges are being referred to the Richland County District Attorneys Office.  The incident remains under investigation.

WHEN: 01-18-19          TIME of Incident: 2:35PM        Location: County Hwy N just east of Richland Center

WHO INVOLVED:
Jaron Neunschwander-Luebke, 26 of Richland Center
Scott Coppernoll, 39 of Richland Center
Kelly Coppernoll, 37 of Richland Center

Other Agencies Involved:
Richland County EMS
Baraboo EMS
Richland Center Fire Department
Richland Center Police Department
Richland County District Attorneys Office

Two Car Crash Results in Minor Injuries

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On November 13th, 2018 at approximately 8:32 A.M. Deborah Johnston, 51,  of Muscoda, WI was operating motor vehicle northbound on STH 80. While traveling northbound on STH 80 a southbound vehicle driven by Terry Windsor, 72,  of Wisconsin Dells, WI crossed the center line of the road causing a head on collision with Johnston. Windsor advised that he had fallen asleep at the wheel causing his vehicle into the northbound lane of traffic. After the collision both vehicles did come to rest in the middle of STH 80 causing road blockage. STH 80 was closed between STH 193 and CTH O until the crash scene was cleared by emergency personal. Johnston and Windsor were both transported to the Richland Hospital by Muscoda EMS for non-life threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Other Agencies Involved: Muscoda Fire and Muscoda EMS

Reminders for Motorists

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Sheriff James J. Bindl reminds motorists to be extra aware of their surroundings as deer hunters enter the woods of Wisconsin.

With the increased hunting activity and the changing weather, deer and other animals are more likely to wander onto area roadways.

Sheriff Bindl also reminds motorists that while a light dusting of snow is good for the hunt, it also brings a need to extra careful as you travel.

Be sure to allow more time to get to your destination, and leave more distance between you and the car ahead of you for stopping.

Check the condition of your tires and wipers and be sure all lights on your vehicle are in working order.

Carry a cold weather kit including a blanket in your vehicles and be alert to changing weather conditions.

Deer Damages to Two Vehicles

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On November 7th, 2018 at 12:16pm, the Richland County Communications Center received a 911 call of a possible semi versus car crash west of Richland Center on US Hwy 14. Sheriff Deputies, along with the Richland Center Police Department, Richland County EMS and Richland Center Fire Department all responded to the scene. As deputies arrived it was determined that a 2013 Toyota, operated by Ann Stoltenow of Westby, was traveling west on US Hwy 14 when a deer appeared from a cornfield in to the roadway. A collision was unavoidable. Stoltenow struck the deer, the animal went airborne and flew behind her vehicle, landing on and breaking the windshield and side mirror of a 2011 Ford pickup operated by Craig Kaiser of Viroqua that was following the Stoltenow vehicle. A passing semi has witnessed the crash and stopped to render aid. Heavy damage was noted to the Stoltenow vehicle, and minor damage to the Kaiser truck. The 2013 Toyota was towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.

The incident took place on US Hwy 14, one tenth of a mile east of Vivian’s Lane in Dayton Township.